Question

Case Scenario: A 72- year old woman presents with shingles. The blisters began near her spine and have continued around her rib cage. She is in pain and states nothing helps. She is the primary care giver for her aging mother and a grandson.

2. Question: Describe the pathophysiology of shingles in terms of exposure and progression. Include in your answer specific facts, data, examples, and other information drawn from your textbook and at least one other supplemental source.

Answer 1

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. The virus lies inactive in ganglionic nervous cells. They are reactivated in case of immunity depression.

Pathophysiology

Verizella zoster virus enter through   
Respiratory tract
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Viral replication in regional lymph nodes
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Primary viremia in bloodstream
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Father viral replication in liver and spleen
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Chicken pox
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Secondary viremia
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Virus enter into nerve endings and Transport dorsal root ganglia where it lies dormant in sensory ganglia, dorsal root.
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Reactivation in dorsal root ganglia
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Infection of skin and nerves
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Herpes zoster- shingles

Vericella zoster virus primarily causes chickenpox. Chicken pox is normally cured by the body. but body cannot remove the virus present in the ganglionic Cell. these viruses remain dormant for years. They act when the body's immunity power goes down, commonly in old age HIV infection immunosuppressant drugs etc. These viruses act on the nervous system damaging spinal cord. The virus is carried to the skin by the t cells causing rashes.

Shingles can be treated with antiviral drugs and analgesics. Pain remains even after the blisters are gone. vaccines can prevent the occurrence of shingles. If untreated it can cause death.