Help with Herpes Zoster

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Specializes in Peds.

Okay, I spent 3 days going over infection precautions, and I think overall I have a good understanding. However, I keep getting confused about Herpes Zoster (shingles) infection. I used a Hogan NCLEX review cd to do questions, and on one asking how herpes zoster is transmitted, I picked Airborne. I used the mnemonic for airborne diseases (My Chicken Hez TB for measles, chicken pox, herpes zoster, and TB), but I got the question wrong, and it says it's transmitted by contact. Now I'm confused!

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Hi. I'm not a nurse (yet), but have experience with HZ in my family. It is transmitted by contact. Any time that my mother, aunt or grandmother has an outbreak (yes, all the women in my family except me have this), we use gloves to apply the cream medication and then wash extra carefully (even with self application). Sometimes children can get chicken pox from a teacher or parent with shingles - this is due to the adult unconsciously or consciously touching/scratching their infected area or touching clothing that has touched the infected area and then touching the child or handling a toy/etc that the child then immediately handles. My mom was a teacher and had to be extremely cautious when she had an outbreak during the school year.

We're not 100% sure, but we think my mom and aunt both contracted shingles from my grandmother by applying her medication sans gloves before we understood how it was contracted. Now, my mom washes her hands before she hugs me if she's experiencing an outbreak - just in case.

I'm sure that I'll continue to learn more about this disease in nursing school, but this is what my family has learned the hard way.

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that's really weird because i totally thought herpes zoster was airborne as well or at least that's what ive seen in my books? so im curious if someone else can verify this.

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Found this on Wikipedia:

The symptoms of herpes zoster cannot be transmitted to another person.[20] However, during the blister phase, direct contact with the rash can spread VZV to a person who has no immunity to the virus. This newly-infected individual may then develop chickenpox, but will not immediately develop shingles. Until the rash has developed crusts, a person is extremely contagious. A person is also not infectious before blisters appear, or during postherpetic neuralgia (pain after the rash is gone). The person is no longer contagious after the virus has disappeared.[10]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herpes_zoster

Hope this helps...

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Disseminated herpes Zoster Virus=Airborn & Contact

Localized herpes zoster virus=Standard

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Specializes in ICU, Trauma, ER, Peds, Family Practice.

Herpes is transmitter by contact. If a person has had Chicken pox they will always have the Virus in there system. Zooster can be activated post op or in times of stress. It is very painful as it follows a nerve path. Herpes Simplex and the other Herpes family are transmitted via contact. Herpes is a STD yup transmitted via contact.

Not sure:chuckle what your research showed you for an answer or how it came about it's answer.

Just my 2 cents and a short answer .

Paddlelady

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Specializes in Peds.

thanks everyone!!

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Specializes in Sub-Acute care unit, geriatrics.

According to Saunders herpes zoster (shingles) is a standard and contact pracaution. You should isolate the pt. because exudate from the lesions contains the virus. --- Actually, I am always remembering the My Chicken hez TB also. But just remember that Hez should be disseminated (meaning it is widespread and can cause a serious illness) for it to be airborne.

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Specializes in Peds.

Yeah I just saw that on a big chart I printed out about it needed to be disseminated. I just need to remember that...that's the hard part lol Thanks!!

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