Shingles

Question 1

Shingles

Answer 1

• herpes zoster infection
• acute, unilateral, painful blistering rash
• reactivaiton of varicella-zoster virus

Question 2

Risk factors for shingles

Answer 2

• increasing age
• HIV
• other immunosuppressive conditions (e.g. steroids, chemotherapy)

Question 3

Features of shingles

Answer 3

prodromal period:
- burning pain over dermatome (2-3 days)
- fever, headache, lethargy (not commonly)

rash:
- red, macular rash over dermatome
- becomes vesicular
- well demarcated by dermatome
- does not cross the midline

Question 4

Diagnosis of shingles

Answer 4

clinical based on appearance and history

Question 5

Mangement of shingles

Answer 5

• infectious until vesicles crusted over (~5-7 days)
• paracetamol and NSAIDS
• oral corticosteroids
• antivirals within 72hrs (reduce incidence of post-herpetic neuralgia)

Question 6

Complications of shingles

Answer 6

• post-herpetic neuralgia
• herpes zoster ophthalmocus
• herpes zoster oticus (ramsay hunt syndrome)