Acute unilateral and segmented inflammation of the dorsal root ganglia caused by reactivation of the herpes varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox
Usually occur in adults
Causative Agent
Varicella virus
Incubation Period
Unknown, but it is believed to be 13-17 days
Period of Communicability
Communicable a day before the appearance of the first rash until 5-6 days after the last crust
Mode of Transmission
Airborne
Droplet
Direct contact
Clinical Manifestations
Begins with fever and malaise
Severe deep pain, pruritus, and paresthesia and hyperesthesia, usually on the trunk and occasionally on the arms and legs
Small, red, nodular skin lesions (Unilateral) erupt on the painful areas up to 2 weeks after first symptoms
Vesicles filled with fluid or pus
Cranial nerve involvement
Complications
Generalized central nervous system infection
Acute transverse and ascending myelitis
Intractable neurologic pain
Diagnostic Procedure
Differentiation of herpes zoster from herpes simplex virus through fluorescent light
Tissue culture technique
Smear of vesicle fluid
Microscopy
Management
Antiviral therapy - Acyclovir
Analgesics to control pain
Anti-inflammatory
Nursing Interventions
Airborne and contact precautions
If vesicles rupture, apply a cold compress as ordered
To minimize neuralgic pain, administer analgesics as ordered and evaluate their effects
Instruct the patients to avoid scratching the lesions
Keep the patient comfortable and maintain meticulous hygiene
Encourage sufficient bed rest and give supportive care
Prevention
Vaccination against varicella
Avoid exposure to patients with varicella infection
