Herpes Zoster (Shingles) – All About the Disease Process

Nearly 1 from every 3 persons living in America today is suffering from herpes zoster, or often known as shingles. There are approximately 1 million conditions of herpes zoster that occurs every year in America alone. Those people who have recovered from the disease called chickenpox has higher chances of acquiring the disease compared to those people that haven’t infected by the virus from the past; it is because the virus which causes shingles, and chickenpox is under the same strain of virus.

Even though there were cases reported that young children may also get herpes zoster, the threat of acquiring the disease is not as high compared to older people. The risk of acquiring the disease increases as the person ages, which are the reason why about 50 % of most of the cases involves males and females aging 60 years of age and above.

What are the most common causes of herpes zoster?

• Shingle is brought on by the varicella zoster virus, exactly the same virus that creates the infection in chickenpox. After the individual recovers from the viral disease called chickenpox, the symptoms fade but the virus remains on the person’s body. The virus won’t harm the person as it stays on the body because it will go to ”sleep” or become idle for many years. However, for unknown reasons, the virus may reactivate itself after being inactive for several years, which causes the disease called herpes zoster or shingles. People should be reminded that herpes zoster and the virus that causes genital herpes are far different from each other.

What are the risk factors?

• Individuals who have health conditions that prevent their own immune system from functioning properly are facing a greater risk of developing this disease. Certain cases like malignancies, which incudes’ leukemia or lymphoma, as well as sexually transmitted disease like human immunodeficiency virus or HIV, and individuals who receive immunosuppressive medications, like steroids along with some drugs that are given to the patient right after the organ transplantation to prevent organ rejection are some of the people who are at risk of developing herpes zoster.

• People more than 60 years old.
• Had acquired chickenpox virus before reaching age 1.
• Suffering from diseases that weaken the immune system.
• Taking medication that interferes with the normal functioning of the immune system.

How will I know if I have herpes zoster?

• Your physician could make the diagnosis by simply examining the skin of your body, and by requesting you to answer some simple questions to get your health history. Lab tests are seldom required, but it might include specimen-taking from your skin to serve as a laboratory sample. This specimen sample will be checked under the microscope to determine if your skin is invaded with the organism or virus that triggers herpes zoster. Blood assessments might display a rise in WBC as well as an increase in the blood “component” that can only be produced in the presence of the virus that causes chickenpox.

How can I prevent herpes zoster?

• Prevent skin to skin contact from the person affected with the symptoms of herpes zoster, especially if you are not vaccinated against the virus.

Additional information:

Today, a vaccine that had been developed to prevent herpes zoster is available for almost all the countries worldwide. It is distinct from the vaccine used to prevent chickenpox. Mature adults who obtain the herpes zoster vaccine tend to be more resistant to the virus that causes herpes zoster or shingles. Individuals more than 60 y. o must be given the vaccine during their regular check-up to protect them against herpes zoster.