Zoster (shingles)
Disease.
- Virus reactivates (usually in one ganglia), comes down multiple nerve fibers, and causes pox-like lesions in a single dermatome.
- Spread is by direct contact (no lung involvement).
- Most common complication is post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN).
Diagnosis.
- primarily based on unique clinical appearance
- can be confirmed by IgM against VZV (i.e. recent B cell stimulation)
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Treatment.
- If diagnosed early, can be treated with acyclovir-related drugs to speed resolution of lesions (acyclic analogs of guanosine).