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What Causes Shingles (Herpes Zoster)?

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Shingles (also known as herpes zoster) is a viral infection caused by a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) that causes chickenpox (varicella). It presents as a painful, blistering rash. After someone has had chickenpox, the virus will stay dormant in the dorsal root ganglia.

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Shingles (also known as herpes zoster) is a viral infection caused by a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) that causes chickenpox (varicella). When someone first becomes infected with VZV, they will contract chickenpox. However, after chickenpox resolves, the virus will stay dormant in the dorsal root ganglia (nerve cells in the spine) and may reactivate later on in life. For this reason, only people who have had chickenpox are at risk of shingles. Shingles presents as a painful, blistering rash. The reactivated virus generally affects one or two adjacent dermatomes, which are areas of skin that are mostly supplied by a single nerve root branching out from the spinal cord.

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Ausmed’s editorial team is committed to providing high-quality, well-researched and reputable education to our users, free of any commercial bias or conflict of interest. All education produced by Ausmed is developed in consultation with healthcare professionals and undergoes a rigorous review process to ensure the relevancy of all healthcare information and updates to changes in practice. If you have identified an issue with the education offered by Ausmed or wish to submit feedback to Ausmed's editorial team, please email ausmed@ausmed.com.au with your concerns.
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1281 reviews by Ausmed Learners
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Judith Spain
07 May 2021
This resource was informative and a good refresher for educating patients regarding having the zostavax vaccine. It has increased my knowledge about shingles.
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Pam Pam
30 Apr 2021
Great snap shot
SW
Shellie Walker
29 Apr 2021
Short concise very informative lesson
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Kate Kilpatrick
09 May 2021
Great
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Maria Villar
01 May 2021
Infection control is very important reminder at the work place because it can help to prevent of spreading the differntvkinds of infections like shingles or viruses. At the aged care facilities most elderly have low immune systems that can easily infected the virus. With proper knowledge of how to handle the infections properly it will help to let the elderly be infected.
SB
Samantha Baillie
04 May 2021
Short and concise. Good refresher
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Carmen Cservenka
04 May 2021
Great quick read. Handy to reinforce knowledge if Shingles is not something seen in everyday practice.
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Jacqui Simao
30 Apr 2021
Quick review of csuse, presentation, treatment and considerations.
SM
Sandra mctavish
12 May 2021
Very good read
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Amrutha Joy
26 Apr 2021
Good
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