Varicella-zoster virus

Varicella-zoster virus

Herpes Zoster is a disease caused by varicella-zoster virus that gives the skin rash. This rash will then be developed as smallpox and indeed this skin disorder leading to pain. Herpes zoster usually results from reactivation of varicella-zoster virus. So, someone who has recovered from varicella (chicken pox) may have shingles.

In chicken pox, abnormalities can be about the whole body, while the shingles in accordance with the neurological disorder that only certain parts of which have neurological abnormalities. Therefore, abnormalities are usually limited to certain areas and only half of the body. This means that these abnormalities only on the right or left alone entity. Indeed the very immune disorder can be widespread decline, even to cross the other body parts due to neural attacked more than one (multiple).

Typical symptoms of herpes zoster vesicular rash (aqueous) with unilateral spread, spread is limited to 1-3 dermatomes. The most common areas affected are the chest and arm regions while other regions may be affected as well, such as the face. If the attack of herpes zoster involving the face and eyes pain can be imagined will become great. In fact, if the eye disorder was handled properly, it has the potential to cause blindness.

Fever and muscle aches

Before the symptoms of the skin, usually have no symptoms of introduction include fever, weakness, and muscle and bone pain. After 4 to 14 days, then the skin disorder arises. It is true that shingles will disappear itself. Administration of drugs (acyclovir) will accelerate healing. In young people, treatment may cause a bit of blackish marks on the skin. However, in older people can occur post herpetic neuralgia. This is pain that occurs because of nerve impulses and the pain is still there despite the herpes on the skin has healed.

In elderly people, a longer recovery period and the incidence is more frequent neuralgia. Prevention of infection with varicella vaccine is expected to also prevent shingles in addition varicella disease. There is cross-immunity between varicella and herpes zoster, but apparently cross-immunity that is not too strong for elderly people is now available shingles vaccine. However, in Indonesia, this new vaccine does not exist. Hopefully in the not too long already available.

The pain of post-herpes zoster can be reduced by antinyeri therapy. If the pain medication was also missing, you can ask your doctor for help neurology or neurosurgery to act on the nerves involved. So, I suggest you take your grandfather to a psychiatrist to cope with pain was very disturbing.