Herpes zoster is really a viral infection due to Varicella zoster virus. It is the exact same virus which in turn causes chicken pox. Chicken pox usually happens in childhood and herpes zoster in older adults. After another panic attack of chicken pox, the herpes simplex virus remains dormant in the nerves and gets activated with a decrease in immunity. Herpes zoster infection manifests in conditions like diabetes, major surgery, HIV/AIDS or when dealing with a major illness.
It is seen as an initial stage where there is severe pain. This is as well as the active stage wherein rashes occur, characterized by redness and clear fluid filled blisters localized to one side with the body.
Herpes zoster generally is a clinical diagnosis. But occasionally laboratory tests are usually necessary to for final confirmation. The diagnostic tests of Herpes zoster are ordered if this:
The mostly performed test could be the immunofluorescence assay.
The mostly performed test is the immunofluorescence assay.
The mostly performed test could be the immunofluorescence assay.
The immunofluorescense assay is done to detect antibodies to some specific virus. Varicella zoster virus specific IgM antibody is detected by this test. This antibody is detected only in active stage of herpes zoster rather than when the herpes virus is dormant.
In this process:
A positive IgM result implies that the patient is struggling with active herpes zoster. This test can be positive in the event of chicken pox. But the clinical manifestations of chicken pox are different, aiding in definitive diagnosis of herpes zoster. Absence of IgM antibodies usually rules out herpes zoster. This test is negative when herpes is dormant in the body or if the active stage is over.
The other diagnostic tests of Herpes zoster are:
No comments:
Post a Comment