Shingles - a disease which is a reactivation of the dormant virus infection.
Pathogen - varicella zoster virus (herpes virus type 3). Without exacerbation of herpes zoster virus is localized in the spinal nerve roots. Shingles occurs with lesions of the dorsal root of the spinal cord and intervertebral ganglia, fever, intoxication and bubbly rash along the sensory nerves.
Causes
The main ways of transmission are similar to those of varicella - airborne and contact (via discharge bubbles). Shingles is characterized by seasonality - the incidence increases in the colder months. When in contact with patients with herpes zoster infection of children with chickenpox may occur.
Development of the disease is considered as a result of the reactivation of the virus in patients who recover from chickenpox; starting reactivation mechanisms remain unexplored, but the risk group includes patients with immunodeficiency, tumors who received various injuries and drug addicts.
Symptoms of shingles
Characterized by acute onset, fever, pronounced burning pain at the site of future eruptions. Rashes appear along the individual sensory nerves as fuzzy pinkish spots (3-5 cm), against which after 18-24 hours of painful vesicles formed group.
The most common lesions are located on the chest, but may also be located in the course of any sensory nerve and is usually on one side. Rashes disappear within 2-4 weeks, the pain may persist for weeks or months.
Ocular form of shingles
It is characterized by a particularly severe course. Accompanied by a lesion of trigeminal ganglion. Eruptions are located along the branches of the trigeminal nerve - the mucous membranes, the eyes, the nose, on the skin of the face; often involved in the process of the eyeball.
Gangrenosum (necrotic) form
It manifested deep skin lesions with scarring.
Any of the forms may be accompanied by the defeat of the vegetative nervous system nodes to the development of unusual for shingles symptoms (urinary retention, constipation or diarrhea).
The disease may be one of the first signs of HIV infection. Often these patients develop shingles with skin lesions spread, reminiscent of chickenpox clinic.
Diagnosis is based on disease manifestations. Research methods are rarely needed
Treatment of herpes zoster
Antiviral agents when used within 48 hours after rash onset accelerate its resolution and eliminate symptoms of the disease in the acute phase reduces pain, absolutely indicated for concomitant severe diseases and lesions eye.
- acyclovir 800 mg of 5 p / day every 4 hours (except overnight) 7-10 days
- or famciclovir at 500-750 mg 3 / day orally for 7 days
- Paracetamol, Diclofenac - for pain
- silver sulfadiazine - locally with festering rashes
- idoxuridine - eye drops, with eye disease.
Resolution rash usually occurs within 14-21 days. Pain may persist for several weeks. Complications of herpes zoster are rare.
