Herpes Zoster

• Herpes zoster (shingles) is a result of an earlier attack by the varicella-zoster virus. After the initial attack, the virus remains dormant within the dorsal root ganglia of the affected individual and later in years it could be reactivated due to stress, decreased immunity or aging. (Cash & Glass, 2014). Owing to declining cell-mediated immunity in the aging population, most cases of reactivation occur in these group (Stiff & Cohen, 2017). herpes zoster is characterized by a unilateral painful rash that develops on one side of the face or body limited to one side of the body, following one body dermatome. Often there is a prodromal complaint of pain, itching tingling and burning sensation on the area the rash will develop. This could occur anytime from 1 to 5 days before the appearance of the rash (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2014). The rash forms blisters that classically scab over in 7 to 10 days and clears up within 2 to 4 weeks (CDC, 2014).
There is no test required to make a diagnosis of herpes zoster, with a good history and physical, herpes zoster is usually distinctive enough to make an accurate clinical diagnosis once the rash has appeared (CDC,