Herpes Zoster
Disease information
Herpes Zoster
Herpes
to
zóster
.
It is the reactivation of
a
latent virus or in lethargy (varicela) quartered in the
central
nervous
system
.
When the virus activates, it extends through the
nervous
system
, by the ganglia by the dorsal roots of the sensitive nerves of the
spinal
marrow, causing the appearance of blisters (vesicles) characteristic, of segmental distribution (that follows the route of the nerves)
It can appear to any age
but
commonest it is than one appears as of the 50 years.
Prognosis.
The sarpullido one disappears in about 14 to 21 days.
The pain in the nerve can persist during
a
month more or even more.
The first episode normally immunizes against
herpes
to
zóster
,
but
not always, being able to suffer more of an
attack
.
Complications.
Secondary
infections
in the blisters of
herpes
to
zóster
.
Chronic
pain that persists during months or years in the sensorial nerves in the place where appeared the blisters (post - herpética neuralgia) one occurs specially in the people of the third age.
Ulceración of the
cornea
, if the eye is affected.
Diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnosis.
The diagnosis is not possible normally until he appears the sarpullido one.
Before their appearance, the symptoms can simulate
a
viral
disease
,
appendicitis
, pleuresia or other affections.
The diagnosis tests will include analysis of laboratory blood and cultures of the emanante
liquid
of the blisters, as well as
a
biopsy of skin (this one last one in rare occasions)
Treatment.
The
primary
target of the treatment is to alleviate to the maximum picazón and the pain, normally with oral medication and of topical use.
General Measures.
When bathing, it washes and it dries the blisters delicately.
It does not sell the wounds.
Apply humid compresas you cold if this alleviates the pain to him.
Sumérjase in lukewarm or the full fresh water bathtub in which it
has
previously thrown an oatmeal or fécula of maize.
The most difficult treatment is the one of the pain in the route nerve, that can remain once the skin is left free from blisters (postherpética Neuralgia)
Unfortunately, at the present time, it does not have prevention.
Medication.
Apply
a
calamine lotion on the blisters.
In order to reduce the annoyances, it uses medicines without medical prescription, like paracetamol.
Use analgesic more forts if outside necessary, like the combinations with codeine.
Use tranquilizers during
a
brief
period
.
Also him
a
anti - viral medication can be prescribed.
The injections to block the nerve will be prescribed by the
doctor
in cases of gravity.
Factors of risk.
Greater adults of 50 years.
Medicine use against the
cancer
or inmuno - depressive.
Diseases
that reduce the resistance of the organism, like:
Disease
of
Hodgkin
.
Leukemia
or linfoma.
Radiation
or surgery.
Prevention.
The only prevention would consist of not undergoing varicela, reason why - today per today it is not possible to prevent
herpes
to
zóster
.
Yes the one that is very intense, by means of the taking, more precociously possible can be come up, of
a
antiviral medicine (Aciclovir or Famciclovir) although their cost, indirect effect and the necessity to take as rapidly as possible prevent it their generalized use.
Causes.
Herpes
to
zóster
is caused by herpesvirus to varicela -
zóster
, the same virus that causes varicela.
It can remain in lethargy in the spine until "it is waked up" by certain factors of risk.
Not yet all the factors are known risk.
Signs and symptoms.
To the 4 or 5 days of the appearance of inespecíficos general symptoms (chills, fever, malaise, nauseas and diarrea) they appear in
a
zone of the skin that previously usually is put specially sensible, painful
red
blisters.
The blisters appear on
a
wide strip of skin reddened throughout the routes of the sensorial nerve in
a
determined zone of the skin.
They appear more frequently in the chest and abdomen and in the face and they only extend by half of the body.
They cause painful pain or quemazón in the affected skin.
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