Shingles Research Paper

Words: 540
Pages: 3

The shingles virus, also known as Herpes Zoster, is a neurocutaneous diseases, it affects both the central nervous system and the skin. The virus creates a skin rash with vesicles resembling chicken pox that occurs in a cluster or band on one side of the trunk or face. The person may experience itching, pain, fever, chills or burning. The rash will begin to blister, then scab over within seven to ten days. In two to four weeks, the shingles virus should start to clear up. If herpes zoster affects the face, it can cause permanent loss of hearing and sight. As a person ages or their immune system weakens they are more susceptible to the shingles virus. Currently there is no cure for shingles, however there is a vaccine to avoid triggering herpes zoster. If the virus is contracted, a …show more content…
Shingles is a reactivation of the viral infection in the nerves. After a patient has contracted the varicella zoster virus, the virus lays dormant in the dorsal root ganglia in the central nervous system. Host immunologic mechanisms control the replication of the varicella zoster virus. Many stressors can affect the host mechanisms from controlling the replication of the virus including stress, age, nerve injury or weakening of the immune system. Once the virus has been reactivated, it becomes herpes zoster and the dorsal root ganglia becomes inflamed and passes through the dorsal root neurons, this inflammation obstructs the dorsal horn cellular metabolism. The virus travels from dorsal root ganglia to peripheral nerves where the herpes zoster virus can cause damage to the myelin sheath, or demyelination. It travels to the surface of the skin in small clusters or band in a localized area and creates a rash with vesicles. The vesicles break open exposing the virus. At this stage the virus can be spread by