Herpes Zoster

• Other Name

  Shingles, Acute Posterior Ganglionitis
• Etiologic Agent

  Herpes Zoster Virus
• Incubation Period


  13-17 days
• Period of Communicability


  Appearance of the first rash until five to six days after the last crust
• Mode of Transmission


  Direct contact, droplet, airborne, indirect contact through articles soiled by secretions
• Pathognomonic Sign


  Pruritic, Painful cluster of vesicular fluid
• Confirmatory Test


  Tissue Culture Technique, Smear of vesicle fluid
• Drug of Choice


  Azyclovir (Zovirax), KMNO4