Herpes Zoster

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What is Herpes Zoster? Herpes Zoster is an unpleasant and disgusting disease,and it is also called Shingles.Chicken pox and Herpes Zoster are casued by the same virus. Chicken Pox is the primary infection and Herpes Zoster is the re-activity of the latent infection.The virus can escape from the body's immune response,even in normal hosts. It may occur again in future life,exspecially when your body's immunity is decreased. Thousand of people is under the attack of Herpes Zoster annually

Symptom of Herpes Zoster

Usually appear in people over age 50; the affected area can be on the chest, waist or face, the patient may feel A person may feel burning, itching, tingling, or extreme sensitivity on the skin. These symptoms are typically present one to three days, sometimes more, before a red rash appears in the same area The rash soon turns into groups of blisters, which generally last for two to three weeks. At first the blisters are clear, but then look yellow or bloody before they crust over (scab) and disappear. It is unusual to have pain without blisters, or blisters without pain. The pain is often severe enough for a physician to prescribe painkillers.[1]

While zoster is most common on the trunk and buttocks, it can appear anywhere the nerves have been affected, including the face, arms, or legs. Blisters on the tip of the nose signal possible eye involvement. Great care is needed if the blisters involve the eye because permanent eye damage can result.[1]

What Does Herpes Look Like- Get the REAL Answers

How can we prevent Herpes zoster?

Self-prevention: Pay attention to personal hygiene and avoid to contact with chicken pox patients

Medical prevention: Licensed zoster vaccine is a lyophilized preparation of chicken pox. However, its minimum potency is at least 14-times the potency of single-antigen varicella vaccine. In a large clinical trial, zoster vaccine affected partially at preventing zoster. It also affected partially at reducing the severity and duration of pain and at preventing PHN among those developing zoster.

P.S Licensed zoster vaccine - ZOSTAVAX®, manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc.(was licensed in the United States for use in persons aged >60 years)

References 1."Herpes Zoster",American Academy of Dermatology(2008) 2.Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)

Photos: http://www.sepeap.es/revisiones/oftalmologia/zoster.htm http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Herpes_zoster_neck.png