Saturday, 7 April 2018

Brief Overview Of The Causes, Indications, And Treatment Of Shingles Rash Diagnosis

By Melissa Kelly


This is a viral infection also commonly referred to as herpes zoster. It is caused by a virus called varicella-zoster which is also responsible for causing chicken pox. After an individual with chickenpox is treated, this virus remains in the body system, but it is suppressed by the immune system of the body to remain dominant. This virus may be activated again later in life if the immune system of the body weakens. This article will discuss the symptoms, causes, and treatment of shingles rash diagnosis.

Since this virus remains in the body in a dormant state, it is possible for it to be active again if the system suppressing it weakens or fails. Therefore, any condition that alters the immune system of the body may cause the virus to manifest itself again and cause herpes zoster. Several factors and conditions may alter the efficiency of the immune system.

Aging is one of the conditions that affect the immune system of the body. As a person progressively ages, it reaches a point where the immune system weakens leaving them unprotected and susceptible to any infections that may come their way. This may cause the varicella-zoster virus to reactivate causing a shingles rash. This is only experienced by aged individuals.

Individuals who may have in the recent past had an organ or bone marrow transplant may also stand a higher chance of being diagnosed with herpes zoster. This is attributed to the fact that physicians use medication that suppresses the immune system of the body before the transplant. This allows the body to accept the transplanted organ. However, this increases the risk of reactivation the varicella-zoster virus.

The human immunodeficiency virus plays a major role in weakening the immune system of the body. This exposes people living with HIV and AIDS to more risks of contracting this diseases. The moment the HIV weakens the immune system, it leaves the body vulnerable to fungal and bacterial infections. This may also promote the reactivation of the herpes zoster causing the virus.

The main symptoms of herpes zoster closely resemble those of chickenpox. For this condition, the patient should notice a sharp pain on the skin surface on the affected part. Rashes then appear shortly after noticing the pain which develops to very itchy blisters. This blisters usually flatten and dry off after some time to leave behind scars.

Other symptoms may indicate that a patient has herpes zoster before it fully manifests itself. Early detection of the disease may help regulate the severity of the symptoms. These symptoms include a headache, itchy feeling, and numbness of the skin and feeling generally unwell. A patient with these symptoms should make sure they seek medical attention as soon as possible.

This disease the does not have a cure for all other virus-related diseases. Therefore, the medication recommended by the physician only helps with the symptoms only. The physician may recommend the use of painkillers to control the pain. They also recommend antiviral medication to prevent further spread and multiplication of the virus.




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