Herpes Zoster: What is it?
Varicella Herpes zoster is also known as HHV3, shingles
or chickenpox.
It is an Alpha Herpes virus and is related to herpes simplex
type 1 and 2. This article looks at what exactly Herpes Zoster is, what it causes and how to treat it.
Herpes Zoster Causes Chickenpox and Shingles
Chickenpox
The herpes zoster virus causes chickenpox and shingles. Chickenpox
is usually seen in children and is easily contracted as it travels
through the humidity in the air. The symptoms consist of a bad rash, sometimes
so painful that it becomes unbearable for the patient to wear clothing.
The rash turns into scabs which do not carry the virus. Chickenpox
is not usually treated as it it not life threatening and only breaks out
once in a lifespan. The symptoms may be eased with fever lowering
medication, cool baths and lotion to soothe the skin. You may get
scars from chickenpox caused by scratching the scabs.
There is a vaccine against chickenpox which is usually given to nine month
old babies to be repeated at the age of twelve (this may vary from country
to country).
Needless to say, chickenpox has nothing to do with chickens ;-)
Shingles
After having chickenpox the virus remains latent in the body. This latent infection can reactivate and
the result of this is an outbreak of shingles. Shingles is usually seen in older people,
most likely because the immune system is lower. The symptoms of
shingles are a rash that turns into scabs, similar to chickenpox. It can
be very painful and the first step in treating shingles is easing this
pain. There are three antiviral compounds used to treat the pain
experienced with shingles:
which should all be prescribed within three days of the outbreak. Untreated,
the outbreak may last two to five weeks.
There is much disagreement as to whether you can experience shingles more than
once in a lifespan like chickenpox or whether there can be more outbreaks.
There does not appear to be any particular trigger to a shingles outbreak,
however older people are more at risk as are people that are already ill
as there seems to be a connection with a low immune system.
HIV-positive and cancer patients are thus at higher risk. Other risk areas
include:
- Drug treatment after organ transplants
- Periods of increased stress
- Excessive alcohol intake
People who have had the chickenpox vaccine
are at much lower risk of catching the varicella zoster virus. Worldwide,
one in five people will develop shingles at some point in their life.
Herpes Zoster causes unpleasant outbreaks of chickenpox and shingles. It is however by no means a life threatening disease (except if you are
HIV-positive or have cancer). There are rarely any complications but
you should still SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE if you suspect that you have an
outbreak of shingles or chickenpox.
Related Links
Still Need Help?
Why not ask your question in our Public Q&A Forum? We'd be glad to hear from you and will try to help as best we can ;-)
- Herpes Viruses:
Post new comment