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Herpes zoster causes

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; L. Katie Morrison, MD; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]

Overview

Shingles can only arise in individuals who have been previously exposed to chickenpox (varicella zoster). After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays in the body in a dormant (inactive) state. Herpes zoster is not caused by the same virus that causes genital herpes, a sexually transmitted disease.The disease arises from various events which depress the immune system, such as aging, severe emotional stress, severe illness, immunosuppression or long-term use of corticosteroids.[1][2] The cellular and immunological events that lead to reactivation are poorly understood.[3] There have been recorded cases of outbreaks occurring due to unmanaged stress or other stresses to the skin such as pinching, biting or scratching of more sensitive areas, such as nipples, ears, and underarms.

Causes

Causes by Organ System

Cardiovascular No underlying causes
Chemical/Poisoning No underlying causes
Dental No underlying causes
Dermatologic No underlying causes
Drug Side Effect Bicalutamide, crofelemer, Febuxostat, Ruxolitinib, Tacrolimus, Tiagabine, Tocilizumab
Ear Nose Throat No underlying causes
Endocrine No underlying causes
Environmental No underlying causes
Gastroenterologic No underlying causes
Genetic No underlying causes
Hematologic No underlying causes
Iatrogenic No underlying causes
Infectious Disease No underlying causes
Musculoskeletal/Orthopedic No underlying causes
Neurologic No underlying causes
Nutritional/Metabolic No underlying causes
Obstetric/Gynecologic No underlying causes
Oncologic No underlying causes
Ophthalmologic No underlying causes
Overdose/Toxicity No underlying causes
Psychiatric No underlying causes
Pulmonary No underlying causes
Renal/Electrolyte No underlying causes
Rheumatology/Immunology/Allergy No underlying causes
Sexual No underlying causes
Trauma No underlying causes
Urologic No underlying causes
Miscellaneous No underlying causes

References

  1. Mounsey AL, Matthew LG, & Slawson DC (2005). “Herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia: prevention and management”. American Family Physician. 72 (6): 1075–1080. PMID 16190505. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
  2. {[cite journal|title=What does epidemiology tell us about risk factors for herpes zoster?|author=Thomas SL, Hall AJ|journal= Lancet Infect Dis.|date=2004|volume=4|issue=1|pages=26-33|pmid= 14720565}}
  3. Donahue JG, Choo PW, Manson JE, Platt R (1995). “The incidence of herpes zoster”. Arch. Intern. Med 155 (15): 1605–9. PMID 7618983

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