Introduction
Shingles are also known as herpes zoster virus infection, a common disorder affecting around one million people in the United States every year. Varicella zoster virus belongs to the type 3 human herpes virus category. Varicella zoster causes chickenpox and shingles (herpes zoster infection) in humans. Herpes zoster virus infection represents the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus in the host (human) body. Painful vesicular rashes characterize shingles distributed unilaterally throughout the body. Herpes zoster infection is generally self-limiting but can also cause severe complications, including neurological problems like postherpetic neuralgia (pain due to damaged nerves), ophthalmic zoster, and, in extreme cases, stroke (lack of blood supply to the brain, also called brain attack). Initial symptoms of shingles include a burning sensation, shooting pain, tingling sensation, and severe itching on the side of the face or body. The pain can be harsh in the affected area, and rashes and blisters can occur anywhere on the body or face. Symptoms of herpes zoster virus infection can last up to fourteen days. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) endorsed that the shingle vaccine can help prevent recurrent shingle infections in elderly patients.
What Is Herpes Virus Infection?
The Herpes virus belongs to the family of herpes viridian. These groups of viruses cause contagious infections in humans. In a few patients, recurrent viral infections are also commonly noted and undergo periodic reactivation. Severe complications are also indicated in immunocompromised hosts.
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Herpes simplex virus-1 causes infections in the orofacial region as well as encephalitis.
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Herpes simplex virus-2 causes genital infections that can be transferred from the mother to the child.
These viruses are noted to stay in the sensory neurons and get reactivated, and cause recurrent infections under suitable conditions. Around 60 to 90 percent of human adults get affected by this disorder. The highest incidence of herpes simplex virus-1 infection occurs at about six months to three years of age. Primary infection of herpes simplex virus-2 infection is commonly noted in young adults. Transmission of the herpes simplex virus is commonly associated with direct contact and through saliva. Following are a few common signs and symptoms of Herpes simplex virus infection:
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Chills and high fever.
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Vesicles in the oral cavity associated with herpes simplex virus infection.
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Vesicles in the genital area associated with herpes simplex virus -2 infection.
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Sore throat.
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Dry cough.
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Muscle aches.
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Fatigue.
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Dizziness.
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Malaise (feeling of illness or discomfort).
Herpes simplex virus infection can be diagnosed using the following diagnostic tests:
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Viral isolation from nasopharyngeal secretion sample.
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Indirect fluorescent antibody detection tests.
What Is the Drug Regimen for Treating Herpes Zoster Infection?
Valaciclovir is an antiviral medication. It is used for treating viral infections caused by the herpes virus. Herpes zoster (shingles) in adults, genital herpes, cold sores in children around twelve, and chicken pox in children around two years of age. Valaciclovir cannot prevent the spread of viral infection, but it can reduce the symptoms of herpes virus infection. Therefore, a Valaciclovir treatment regimen should be initiated as soon as symptoms like tingling, burning, and blisters appear. The drug dosage differs on a patient basis and it is also modified based on the type of lesion being treated. Following are the drug dosage and the type of lesion being treated:
1. Chicken Pox:
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Children aged 2 to 18- 20 mg/Ib (milligrams per pounds) body weight taken three times a day for five days. The dose should not exceed 1000 mg (milligrams) thrice daily.
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The doctor decides the dosage for children below two years of age based on the severity of the lesion and the child's build.
2. Shingles:
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1000 mg (milligrams) three times a day for seven days.
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The dosage for children is decided by the doctor based on the severity of the lesion and the child's build.
What Is the Role of Vaccination in Shingles Prevention?
The risk of shingles and postherpetic neuralgia increases in older adults. Shingrix is a recombinant zoster vaccine. Zostavax is a live zoster vaccine. Zostavax was approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in 2006. The healthcare provider should decide when to prescribe the vaccine to the individuals and at what age. Post-vaccination protection lasts for around five years. Adults between fifty to sixty years of age should give an excellent history to their doctor regarding the medical history, and the vaccine should be advised to keep a note of the medical condition of these individuals. Redness, soreness, and swelling can occur at the site of injection. In a few cases, headaches have been reported too. There are no reported cases of severe adverse reactions to these vaccines.
What Are the Contraindications for Shingles Vaccine?
The following are the contraindications for the shingles vaccine:
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People suffering from weakened immunity. Patients diagnosed with conditions like acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or infections by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have not been advised of shingle vaccination. In these patients, symptoms may worsen post-vaccination due to weakened immunity.
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Individuals under long-term steroid therapy.
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Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are two other treatment interventions that contraindicate shingles vaccine. Therefore patients undergoing these two therapeutic interventions should refrain from taking the vaccine.
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Patients who have leukemia or lymphoma should not be advised to vaccinate against shingles.
What Are the Side Effects of Shingle Vaccines?
Adverse reactions encompass a set of alarming and unexpected reactions that are associated with the administration of the shingle vaccine. A few of the commonly encountered adverse reactions concerning shingles vaccine include the following:
Stevens-Johnson syndrome or SJS (a rare skin or mucus membrane disorder), exfoliative dermatitis (inflammation of the entire skin), and rashes are noted as hypersensitivity reactions. Therefore, the medication should be immediately discontinued in individuals with severe hypersensitivity symptoms, and emergency management protocols should be followed.
Conclusion
Varicella zoster causes chickenpox and shingles (herpes zoster infection) in humans. Herpes zoster virus infection represents the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus in the host (human) body. These viruses are noted to stay in the sensory neurons and get reactivated, and cause recurrent infections under suitable conditions. The healthcare provider should decide when to prescribe the vaccine to the individuals and at what age. Post-vaccination protection lasts for around five years. A few healthcare insurance companies provide coverage for vaccinations amongst older people.
