Shingles is a neurological condition that typically begins as burning or pain along a path, on one side of the body. A rash later appears along the same path. It may be present on the face or on the trunk of the body. Rarely, shingles becomes disseminated-- a serious complication.
Identification
Shingles is an illness caused by a herpes virus. Typically, a person with shingles contracted chickenpox, called varicella zoster, early in life and the virus remained dormant inside the nerve cells. Later in life, the virus became active, causing shingles, or herpes zoster. Shingles affects one or more nerves, causing an eruption of small blisters containing fluid on the skin along the path of the nerve. The National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke indicates that shingles is more common after the age of 40.
Dissemination
Disseminated shingles is a potentially fatal condition in which 10 to 20 or more vesicles are found somewhere other than along or near the path of a nerve. It usually begins one to two weeks after the initial symptoms of a shingles infection. Disseminated herpes zoster can cause serious complications when it invades the blood stream or body organs, such as the lungs or brain. A person with disseminated shingles may feel ill and have a fever along with organ-specific symptoms, according to Donna Ignatavicius, M.S., R.N. and Linda Workman, Ph.D., R.N., authors of "Medical-Surgical Nursing."
Susceptible Individuals
People with a compromised immune system are more likely to develop disseminated shingles. This includes the elderly, people with cancer, and people taking corticosteroid medications or chemotherapy. It is also more common in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Treatment
Acyclovir delivered into the vein is indicated for the treatment of disseminated shingles, notes the AETC National Resource Center. The drug may need to be given for one to two weeks. The virus may become resistant to acyclovir. In these cases, the physician may order foscarnet sodium, another antiviral drug given through the veins.
Prevention
Like most illnesses, it is preferable to prevent shingles rather than deal with treating it and risking complications such as dissemination. A shingles vaccine is available for adults over the age of 60. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke notes that some individuals with a compromised immune system take antiviral medications on a regular basis to prevent outbreaks of shingles.
References
- "Medical-Surgical Nursing"; Donna Ignatavicius, M.S., R.N. and Linda Workman, Ph.D., R.N.; 2002
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Shingles: Hope Through Research
- AETC National Resource Center: Herpes Zoster/Shingles
