Herpes Zoster Virus Archives - Infectious Disease Advisor

Herpes zoster, or shingles, is a reactivation of a previous herpes varicella-zoster virus infection. It can be one of the earliest manifestations of HIV. A longitudinal study showed an incidence of 29.4 cases per 1000 person-years among people seropositive for HIV vs 2.0 cases per 1000 person-years among control participants who were seronegative for HIV.3 Shingles risk and severity may be increased with increasing immunosuppression.4 Because shingles has a distinctive disease course and lesions, clinical diagnosis is usually accurate, but laboratory studies may be required for confirmation.5 Patients often first experience pain along one of the sensory nerves of the skin, followed by a painful rash several days later.6 The rash begins with grouped vesicles confined to 1 dermatome or spread over 2 adjacent dermatomes. The vesicles eventually crust over and then heal 3 to 4 weeks later, but may result in significant scarring. Pain sometimes persists after resolution of the vesiculation (ie, postherpetic neuralgia).

Trends in US Herpes Zoster Hospitalizations From 2001 to 2015

By

Zahra Masoud

February 12, 2019

The 2007 and 2008 shingles and varicella vaccination recommendations may have contributed to the declining herpes zoster hospitalization rates in some groups.

Treatments

Treating Shingles Does Not Reduce Increased Risk for Stroke

By

Natasha Priya Dyal MD, Infectious Disease Advisor Editor

February 11, 2019

The risk for stroke is significantly increased after the appearance of shingles, despite adequate antiviral therapy and administration of the shingles vaccine.

Prevention

Chickenpox Vaccination and Risk for Herpes Zoster

By

Zahra Masoud

February 7, 2019

The chickenpox vaccination may not have a substantial population-level effect on herpes zoster in nonvaccinated age groups.

Prevention

CDC Examines Safety of Recombinant Zoster Vaccine

February 5, 2019

Total of 4,381 reports of adverse events during first eight months of use; 3 percent were serious.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Incidence of Herpes Zoster Higher Among Women and Older Adults

By

Infectious Disease Advisor Contributing Writer

January 14, 2019

Herpes zoster virus continues to be prevalent in certain patient demographics in the United States.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Risk for Herpes Zoster Elevated Prior to Hematologic Cancers

December 17, 2018

The risk for herpes zoster (zoster) is elevated during the two years preceding diagnosis and during treatment of hematological cancer.

Prevention

Immunogenicity of Co-Administered Herpes Zoster, Pneumonia Vaccine Assessed

By

Da Hee Han, PharmD

July 9, 2018

A new study found no immunologic interference with the co-administration of Shingrix vaccine and the PCV 23 in adult patients

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Prevention

Varicella Zoster Vaccine Effective for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients

By

Rita Aghjayan

June 7, 2018

In a phase 3 clinical trial, early vaccination effectively prevented herpes zoster in auto-HSCT recipients.

Pediatric Illnesses

Herpes Zoster in Healthy Children Linked to Varicella-Zoster Vaccination

By

Steve Duffy

April 16, 2018

The morphology of the lesions included erythematous papules, pseudovesicles, and plaques, with associated pain in 2 and pruritus in 3 patients; systemic symptoms ranged from none to low‐grade fevers, upper respiratory symptoms, and joint pain.

Prevention

Stronger Recommendations by PCPs for Herpes Zoster Vaccination Needed

By

Steve Duffy

April 10, 2018

From January to March 2017, the researchers distributed a cross-sectional online survey to all physicians in the Division of General Internal Medicine and Clinical Innovation at NYULH, across 5 different practice settings. A total of 138 (out of 530) responded (26%).