Shingles

Question 1

What is it?

Answer 1

Reactivation of the Herpes type Varicella Zoster Virus

Question 2

Why does it happen?

Answer 2

The zoster virus lies dormant in selected cells of dorsal root ganglions and is re-activated by triggers such as stress or illness

Question 3

How does it present?

Answer 3

because it only lies in certain dorsal ganglions, it only affects that specific dermatome

Question 4

Who is affected?

Answer 4

Usually adults once they’ve already had chickenpox

Question 5

Signs and Symptoms (8)

Answer 5

painful, blistering rash, pain in area of sensory nerves, fever, headache, regional lymphadenopathy, erythematous papules which become pustular, recovery in 2-3 weeks

Question 6

Complications (3)

Answer 6

Blisters are much deeper in elderly or malnourished, facial nerve palsy, muscle weakness

Question 7

What is the treatment? (6)

Answer 7

Rest, analgesics, povidone to calm blisters, Oral Aciclovir, oral steroids, oral antibiotics if secondary infection