Herpes Viruses

Herpes Viruses

8 Different Types

Primary Infection:

• Latent infection with sensory nerve ganglia — viral re-activation

  (most common — herpes simplex and varicella-zoster

1. Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 - Cold Sores

2. Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 - Genital Herpes

3. Varicella Zoster Virus - Chickenpox/Shingles

Transmission

HSV 1+2 : transmitted direct contact : Contact Precaution (glove and gown)

VZV (Chickenpox): transmitted through air: Airborne Precaution (N95, glove and gown, negative pressure room)

Varicella (Chickenpox) —S/S

• Sudden Onset Fever

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Itchy Blister Rash (Face, Chest,Back - follows 1-2 days/ Rest of Body 3-4 days

  1 Week: Blisters dry out and scabs form and fall off

Herpes Zoster (Shingles)

• Reactivation of varicella zoster virus (chickenpox) : lying dormant in a nerve root

  • Pain/Tingling along Dermatome

  • Rash/Blister 1 month

  • Pain - Burning, Stabbing, Aching

  • Fever

  • GI Disturbances

  • Malaise

  • Headache

Shingles - Transmission

Active Singles : spread VZV and give someone chickenpox not shingles when rash is in blister phase

• Rash crusts = no longer contagious

  • Should keep blisters covered

Shingles - Treatment

• Oral Antiviral Meds

• Pain Meds

  • PT - Neuralgia: sharp shocking pain follows path of a nerve and can be due to irritation of nerve or damage to nerve = present after shingles

    • TENS

    • Breathing/Relaxation Techniques

    • General Adaptations - ADLs

    • Gait Aid

    • General Exercise/Conditioning

    • ROM - avoid secondary issues — joint stiffness and muscle atrophy

• Pain Mgmt

• ROM