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What is herpes zoster? | Risk factors | Treatment | Consequences

What is herpes zoster?

Herpes zoster is an infection produced by the varicella zoster virus, which also causes chicken pox. After a child has chicken pox, the virus remains dormant in the nerve cells of the central nervous system. At some point in a person's life, the virus may reactivate. If that occurs, the virus travels down the long nerve fibers and infects some part of the body producing a blistering rash called shingles, which is characterized by fever, painful inflammations, and a general feeling of tiredness.

The virus can travel to the head and neck region where it can involve the eye, part of the nose, the mouth, the cheek, and the forehead. In about forty percent of the cases involving the head, the virus infects the cornea of the eye. The lesions generally clear up on their own. However, without early antiviral treatment, the virus can infect cells deep in the tissue causing corneal inflammation and scarring. It may also permanently decrease the sensitivity of the cornea. Corneal complications can arise months after the shingles are gone.

If you are experiencing some of the symptoms described here, it does not necessarily mean you have herpes zoster. However, if you experience one or more of these symptoms, you should contact your eye doctor for a complete exam. Click here for information on emergency or immediate care.

Risk factors

Older people with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to shingles and herpes zoster. People over age eighty have a five times greater chance of contracting shingles than someone between the ages of twenty and forty.

Treatment

Antiviral medications are used to curtail shingles and the severity of the attack.

Consequences

Herpes zoster can result in corneal scarring. If severe, it may require a corneal transplant.