Shingles: Herpes Zoster Skin Disorder
Shingles, sounds more like cringles. But did you know that shingles is a skin disorder? Yes, shingles is a skin disorder caused by the herpes virus called varicella zoster. The varicella zoster is an alpha-herpes virus that causes zoster and chickenpox. With the virus reactivated, it then causes shingles.
Shingles infect a person’s nerve cells and skin cells. Shingles or herpes zoster is a viral infection of a person’s nerve roots. It is considered very infectious especially those lacking of immunity. The varicella zoster virus is initially infectious followed by the dormant stage.
Herpes zoster requires secretion precautions so that the infection will not spread by direct contact. Herpes zoster can cause serious illnesses for people having damaged immune systems, and older adults are the ones who are most affected.
Shingles or herpes zoster has a vaccine called Zostavax. The vaccine is intended to prevent shingles or herpes zoster and other herpes zoster-related posthorpetic neuralgia or PHN. When a person receives the Zostavax vaccine, it reactivates cellular immunity to varicella zoster; thereby preventing herpes zoster incidence. It is best if you can take your children to the doctor and get a vaccination to make them immune to the varicella virus.
Even adults can have a vaccination. In fact, the mortality rate among older adults due to postherpetic neuralgia and herpes zoster were reduced heavily upon the introduction of the vaccine.
Herpes zoster patients may experience burning pain, and in some cases, mind narcotics are used to control the pain. If you think that you or any member of your family has acquired the varicella virus, be sure to consult a doctor immediately to prevent the spreading of the virus.