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Understanding Herpes Zoster (Shingles)

Herpes zoster, also known as shingles or zona, is caused by the varicella zoster virus and results in a painful rash of small blisters on a strip of skin. It is caused by reactivation of the chickenpox virus after primary infection. The rash is unilateral, following nerve pathways, and is characterized by being painful rather than itchy. Diagnosis involves serological or PCR testing. Treatment focuses on antiviral medication to shorten the infection as well as pain management. Nursing goals are to minimize the duration and severity of the rash while managing associated pain.

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Charlz Zipagan
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132 views12 pages

Understanding Herpes Zoster (Shingles)

Herpes zoster, also known as shingles or zona, is caused by the varicella zoster virus and results in a painful rash of small blisters on a strip of skin. It is caused by reactivation of the chickenpox virus after primary infection. The rash is unilateral, following nerve pathways, and is characterized by being painful rather than itchy. Diagnosis involves serological or PCR testing. Treatment focuses on antiviral medication to shorten the infection as well as pain management. Nursing goals are to minimize the duration and severity of the rash while managing associated pain.

Uploaded by

Charlz Zipagan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

HERPES ZOSTER

 is a common viral infection of the nerves, which


results in a painful rash of small blisters on a strip
of skin anywhere on the body.

Also called:
•Shingles
•Zone/Zona
•Acute Posterior
Ganglionitis
CAUSATIVE AGENT
Varicella Zoster Virus

MODE OF TRANSMISSION
oDroplet

MANIFESTATIONS OF HERPES ZOSTER


oSame as those of Chicken Pox
oRashes are also VESICULOPUSTULAR
HERPES ZOSTER’S RASHES ARE:
• Not itchy

•More of painful (nerves are affected)

•Pain maybe persistent up to 2 months


(NORMAL)
•UNILATERAL DISTRIBUTION of rashes (follows
the nerve pathway)

•Always VERTICAL and LONGITUDINAL (on one


side)

•Appears in CLUSTER
STAGES OF HZ/SHINGLES
DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND MEDICAL
MANAGEMENT FOR HERPES ZOSTER
o Same as in Chicken Pox

DIAGNOSTIC TESTS:
1. Serological Methods
2. Direct Fluorescent antibody test
3. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test
4. Tzanck Smear

MEDICAL MANAGEMENT (Antiviral Drugs)


 Acyclovir (Zovirax)
 Famciclovir
 Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
ADDITIONAL MEDICAL MANAGEMENT

Application of POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE


(KMnO4) compress over the rashes of the patient

RATIONALE:
oTo obtain three-fold effect
1. Astringent Effect - to dry the rashes

2. Bacterial Effect - to decrease chance of


skin infection

3. Oxidizing Agent - to deodorize the


rashes and remove fishy odor
IMPORTANT CONCEPT
 An attack to HZ does not give permanent
immunity

 HZ is caused by a reactivation of the chicken


pox (varicella) virus (lies in the dorsal root
ganglia) after primary infection

 Most common complications are:


1. Skin Infection
2. Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain)
PREVENTIVE MEASURE
oSame as that of chicken pox

IMPORTANT CONCEPTS

Children are mostly affected in:


oGerman Measles
oMeasles
oChicken Pox

Adults are mostly affected in:


oHerpes Zoster
NURSING MANAGEMENT
The goals of treatment for patients with shingles/HZ
are to:
1. Minimize the duration and severity of the rash
2. Manage the associated pain

 Advise patient not to scratch lesions to reduce the


risk of transmission and avoid scarring, and to
keep lesions clean and dry

 Use simple absorbent dressing to cover the rash


(DO NOT USE ADHESIVE DRESSING; can delay
the healing can cause irritation)
Do not use topical antibiotics when secondary
bacterial infection occurs ( Staphylococcus A. &
Streptococcus P.)

Educate the patient about the mode of


transmission of the virus and to encourage him/her
to avoid physical contact with other people
(immunocompromised and infants aged under 1)

Avoid temperature extremes, in both air and


bathwater

Advise patient to wear loosr, nonrestrictive


clothing made of cotton
THANKYOU!! 
Group members:

Dumo, Iareen
Duque, H. Angel
Espanto, Dianne

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