Herpes Zoster

What is Herpes Zoster?

Herpes zoster is a virus caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. More specifically it is caused by the varicella zoster virus. Herpes zoster is most commonly known as the shingles virus. It is a painful skin rash that usually appears in a band, a strip, or a small area on one side of the face or body.

After a person gets rid of the chicken pox, the virus stays in the body. The virus remains dormant in the nerve roots in some people, it stays dormant forever and they may never catch the shingles virus. In other people the virus awakens when disease, stress, or aging weakens the immune system. Medicines also may trigger the virus and cause a rash. It is unknown why this happens but when it does it can only cause shingles, not chicken pox. You cannot catch shingles from someone who has shingles rash could spread it to a person who has not had chicken pox or who has not got the chicken pox virus.

Herpes zoster, or shingles, occurs in stages. At first you may experience flu-like symptoms but be afebrile. You may also be sensitive to light r have a headache. Then, you may feel itching, pain, or tingling in a certain area. This is where a band, strip, or small area of rash may happen a few days later. The rash will then turn into clusters of blisters. These blisters fill with fluid and crust over. According to webmd.com, it takes two to four weeks for the blisters to heal and they may leave scars. Some people do not get a rash and some may get a mild rash. You could also get a rash on your face. If this is not treated immediately it could lead to herpes zoster opthalmicus. Signs and symptoms of this occurring in the eye include: blisters around the eye or on the eyelid, and eye pain. This is why some people may be sensitive to light. People who develop blisters on the nose should notify their doctor immediately because this could be a warning of possible eye problems. Someone who has had herpes zoster opthalmicus may also have...