Shingles

Shingles

    * Introduction
    * Signs and symptoms
    * Evolution and complications
    * Causes and Risk Factors
    * Diagnosis
    * Treatment
    * Prevention
Shingles is a viral infection that is manifested by rash, painful path of a sensory nerve, caused by reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox - the varicella-zoster virus (VVZ).
After primary infection cure VVZ (chickenpox), the virus remains dormant in nerve ganglia for many years. With advancing age, or due to illness, the immune system loses its ability to control the virus is reactivated. Thus, lymph and nerves produces an inflammatory reaction, which causes the appearance of vesicles grouped in bouquets.
In some people, shingles (or herpes zoster) causes pain to persist for months or years after healing of the rash.
Shingles most often affects the chest, but can be observed on the back, buttocks, neck and sometimes face and scalp. A single part or a portion of a limb is affected. The liquid inside the skin vesicles containing viral particles. Patients with shingles should avoid physical contact with people who have not had chickenpox and where the infection could lead to serious consequences - such as pregnant women (infection can be dangerous to the fetus), immunocompromised persons and infants.

Symptoms generally begins with the sensation of pain on a skin area, followed by vesicular eruptions in 2-3 days, which is usually diagnostic. Treatment includes antiviral drugs and corticosteroids sometimes, 72 hours after the appearance of skin lesions.

Approximately 90% of the adult population worldwide is a carrier of the chickenpox virus, and 20% of these people will be affected by herpes zoster in a moment of life. 80% of cases occur in people over 20 years. The incidence of shingles is equal in men and women.