Herpes zoster (herpes) is a disease caused by a virus of the Herpesviridae family. It occurs when chickenpox virus is activated, which was latent in the body. This disease is also called herpes zoster.
Causes of occurrence
In most cases, shingles appears in older people. Moreover, in some people with a weakened immune system, it can also develop repeatedly.
Shingles causes one of the varieties of the herpes virus. It provokes the appearance on the skin of a characteristic rash. The name of the disease comes from the fact that the rashes are located, as a rule, in the area of the chest, abdomen, sides and, as it were, "encircle" the patient. In the sleeping form, the virus is found in 99.5% of all people, but it is activated in no more than 20%.
In addition to the age-related predisposition, some diseases are considered risk factors for the appearance of lichen. It can develop in people with weakened immune systems who suffer from leukemia, lymphogranulomatosis. The risk group includes all cancer patients who received chemotherapy, who have an increase in neoplasms, as well as those who have organ transplants or bone marrow transplants. The disease also develops against the background of prolonged use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. Any weakening of the immune system, chronic fatigue, constant stress are also attributed to risk factors.
Infection pathways
Not everyone is able to recognize the disease immediately and without the help of a doctor and start treatment on time. In addition, many do not know how shingles are transmitted. If you have never had chickenpox, and moreover, you have not been vaccinated against this infectious disease, then it is better to stay away from patients with this type of herpes. The virus is extremely contagious, you can get sick with normal household contact.
Everyone is better to know how shingles are transmitted in order to be able to protect themselves as much as possible. So, you can get infected through a handshake or any other touch. Also, common household items can become a source of the disease. In this case, it is not only combs, towels, plates or cups. The virus stays on doorknobs, handrails in public transport or shopping carts in the supermarket. An ideal place for the spread of infection is warm, humid places: saunas, pools and even sand on the beach.
Prevention
In most people, the virus is in a dormant state. Given the fact that its development provokes any weakening of the immune system, it is important to monitor your health condition, not to be cold, to avoid stress. But, besides this, do not forget about hygiene. Regular hand washing, especially after returning from public places and the use of bactericides, can significantly reduce the risk of developing the disease. Also, do not use common towels, plates, glasses.
Symptoms of the disease
Often people infected with herpes zoster disease do not even suspect it. The incubation period can last several years without any manifestations. At the initial stage, in some patients, signs of shingles are not expressed.
Infection can be accompanied by headache, fever to subfebrile indicators, dyspeptic disorders, chills, and general weakness. Also, a person may experience itching or tingling in the area of future rashes. Such a period, depending on the state of human immunity, can last up to 4 days.
But most often the disease begins with a sharp increase in temperature to 39 degrees, chills, headache. This condition in the patient lasts several days. Rashes immediately appear. It is at this moment that it is important to remember how shingles are transmitted to protect others.
It is worth noting that the rashes are accompanied by pain and itching. The sensations are rather unpleasant, the infected people cannot even sleep or lie normally. Moreover, in some patients, the so-called postherpetic neuralgia is noted . This is a condition in which the sensation of itching and pain remains even after cure for several months or even years.
External manifestations
To understand exactly what your disease is, you need to find out how this type of herpes manifests itself. At first, round pink spots appear on the human body, their diameter does not exceed 0.5 cm. But very quickly, literally the next day, small vesicles with transparent contents become visible on them. Also, the disease is often accompanied by an increase in lymph nodes.
All lesions are on the projection of the sensory nerves. In most cases, they are localized on the sides along the intercostal nerves and on the extremities. But there are times when shingles affects the head or genital area.
After a few days, the contents located in the vesicles becomes cloudy, and the rashes themselves become paler. Over time, crusts form on the affected areas, which disappear only after 21 days from the onset of the disease. In their place, slight pigmentation remains.
Types of disease
To prevent infection of other people, it is important not only to know how shingles are transmitted, but also how it manifests itself.
The most common is the ganglioderm form of the disease. It is accompanied by intolerable pain, intoxication, fever. But the rash may be absent. In this case, the intervertebral ganglia and the posterior roots of the nerves are affected.
Ear and eye form of the disease. When they occur, a vivid clinical picture is observed. With the ocular form, the mucous membranes of the eyes, face, and nose suffer. Ear herpes is accompanied by rashes on the shells and around them, in the ear canal. The disease can also cause facial paralysis.
Gangrenous form occurs mainly in individuals with significantly weakened immunity. The skin is affected very deeply; after recovery, scars remain.
The abortive form lasts only a few days. It is characterized by the rapid disappearance of the rash and the complete absence of vesicles.
The generalized form leads to the appearance of vesicles in all areas of the skin, they appear on the mucous membranes. It is usually cured in 3 weeks.
Meningoencephalitic form, fortunately, is rare. The disease is very difficult, less than 40% of people recover, in others, this herpes zoster leads to death. It is not immediately possible to understand that the patient has this particular form of the disease. Symptoms arise a little later: hallucinations, hemiplegia, ataxia, even the onset of coma.
Possible complications
The disease is dangerous because vegetative ganglia can be involved in the defeat process , in which case it will no longer be just shingles. The consequences of this infection threaten the development of meningoencephalitis. Even if patients manage to avoid death, in most cases the disease leads to disability.
Also, with shingles, internal organs can also be affected. This threatens the development of pneumonia, diseases of the genitourinary sphere or damage to the duodenum.
Ocular and ear forms of the disease can cause facial paralysis. The disease also threatens optic neuritis, which can lead to visual impairment.
The addition of a bacterial infection is also considered dangerous. In this case, the patient’s recovery will be delayed for months.
Treatment
If you feel unwell and see a rash on your body, it is best to consult a doctor. The specialist can prescribe painkillers: gel with the drug "Lidocaine", medicines "Paracetamol", "Ibuprofen", prescribe immunostimulating and antiherpetic drugs. But in most cases, people who do not suffer from immunodeficiency do not need additional treatment.
And for people of advanced age it is important to detect shingles in the initial stages. Acyclovir treatment, prescribed in a timely manner, can prevent the occurrence of visceral complications. Antibacterial ointments may also be prescribed, which include the tetracycline or erythromycin antibiotics. In some cases, the doctor may recommend injections of a human immunoglobulin.
Folk remedies
By agreement with your doctor, you can use the methods of treatment of lichen, which are popular among lovers of alternative medicine. So, the patient can wipe the affected area with the infusion of the immortelle. It is done like this: 1 tbsp. l plants poured a glass of boiling water. After an hour, the infusion can be filtered and used as intended, lubricating areas of the skin that were affected by shingles.
Folk remedies for treatment are also aimed at strengthening immunity. To do this, you can drink an infusion made from willow bark. 2 tbsp. l dry raw materials is poured 0.5 liters. boiling water and infused for about an hour. You need to drink it ¼ cup 3 times daily.