Shingles symptoms and diagnosis of herpes zoster

Shingles symptoms and diagnosis of herpes zoster

Chickenpox, the common childhood disease, is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Once a person has had chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in the nerve roots in the body. Years later, the varicella-zoster virus can become reactivated and travel along the sensory nerves in the skin, causing herpes zoster or shingles. The shingles symptoms are very similar to those of chickenpox, in which a painful rash may appear on the skin. The word "shingles" is derived from a Latin word which means "belt" or "belt", says the combination of the rash in a broad band.

Symptoms of shingles

The first shingles symptoms is pain shingled or extreme sensitivity over a wide band along one side of the body. The patient may feel a shingle bolt burning, stinging, itching, deep, continuous shooting or lightning pain. After one to three days, a rash may begin to form. The rash consists of red bumps and blisters on the skin where the pain is felt. These blisters are filled with pus and they pop and ooze after one week. It takes about one week for the bulbs to dry and form crusts. After two to three weeks, the scabs fall off and leave scars and brown spots on the skin.

The emergence of clusters of blisters on a red base is a symptom of shingles. The rash usually appears on the chest, neck and back. It can also appear on the face, and even in the lower body. Other shingles symptoms include headache, chills and abdominal pain.

The diagnosis of herpes zoster

It is often difficult to diagnose shingles symptoms are vague and similar to other forms of rashes. The diagnosis is often based on the story of pain and examining the distribution of blisters. Laboratory tests may be done by taking a sample of blisters to confirm the presence of herpes zoster virus.

The doctor may suspect shingles if symptoms include a rash on one side of the body, or rash appears along the dermatomes or nerve pathways from the spinal column. The diagnosis of herpes zoster can be confirmed if the person reported an acute burning sensation, is elderly or has had chickenpox or the vaccine against chickenpox. Unlike chickenpox where blisters all over the body, shingles rash is limited to certain areas.

Some people may experience painful sensations, burning or itching in an area of ​​the skin, but do not develop a rash. No rash, symptoms of shingles can be difficult to diagnose because they can be confused with other diseases such as migraine or abdominal conditions. If this is the case, doctors may do a blood test to confirm the diagnosis.