A Case Report of Herpes Zoster

Herpes zoster (shingles) is a sporadic disease that results from reactivation of latentVZV from dorsal rootganglia.  Herpes zoster is characterized by a unilateral vesicular dermatomal eruption, often associated with severe pain. The dermatomes from T3 to L3 are most frequently involved.  Herpes zoster occurs at all ages, but its incidence is highest (5-10 cases per 1000 persons) among individuals in the sixth decade of life andbeyond.  Recurrent Herpes zoster is exceedingly rare except in immune compromised hosts, especially those withAIDS.  The onset of disease is heralded by pain within the dermatome, which may precede lesions by 48-72 hrs; an erythmatousmaculopapular rash evolves rapidly intovesicular lesions.  In the normal host, these lesions may remain few in number and continue to form for only 3-5 days. The total duration of disease is generally 7-10 days; however, it maytake as long as 2-4 weeks for the skin to return tonormal.