Herpes zoster

The so-called herpes zoster refers to a certain constellation of symptoms caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV). This virus belongs to the class of herpes viruses and triggers the well-known clinical picture of chickenpox when first infected (by droplet infection)! Rather, it nests itself in certain nerve structures (in the case of the VZV it is the spinal ganglia) of the body and remains there for a lifetime, so that under certain circumstances (e.g. due to stress, immune disorders) it can reactivate and cause a new outbreak.

However, this new outbreak does not appear in the sense of chickenpox, but manifests itself as so-called shingles (zoster; herpes zoster). Once infected with the varicella zoster virus, a person is also immune for the rest of his or her life against further infection, so the clinical picture of chickenpox cannot occur again. However, one is not protected against reactivation with the virus that has already entered the body.

This occurs most frequently between the ages of 50 and 70, but can generally affect any age group. The typical symptoms of herpes zoster begin with general signs of illness such as fever, headaches and aching limbs, fatigue and exhaustion. In the course of the disease, pulling or dull pain is felt in a certain area of the skin, which is innervated by the skin nerves that originate from the spinal ganglion affected by the virus.

At the same time, this area of skin may also experience tingling or numbness. In the course of the disease, this area of the skin develops the typical water-clear vesicles of zoster, which can be arranged either in groups or “segmentally”, in the form of a belt, and become encrusted and heal after a few days. The herpes zoster outbreak is often found on the upper body, face or ear.As a therapy for severe courses of disease, so-called antivirals (e.g. Aciclovir) are given, and painkillers (e.g. Ibuprofen) can also be administered to alleviate the accompanying skin pain. To prevent the initial infection with the virus (VZV), a vaccination with a live vaccine can be carried out.