What it means
A herpes virus. The first infection, usually in childhood, is chickenpox (varicella), an itchy blistering rash. After that, the virus stays asleep in nerve roots for life. In some people, often older adults or people with weak immune systems, it becomes active again as shingles (herpes zoster), a painful band of blisters on one side of the body. Vaccines protect against both.
For the nurse
Chickenpox needs airborne and contact precautions until all the blisters have crusted. Shingles that has spread, or shingles in a client with a weak immune system, needs the same; local shingles in a healthy client needs standard precautions with the rash covered. Staff without immunity should not care for these clients.
In a chart
"Vesicular rash in a band on the left chest; provider suspects varicella-zoster reactivation."
At a glance
| Spanish | virus de la varicela-zóster |
|---|---|
| Also written | VZV |
Related terms
incubation period
The time between catching an infection and the first symptoms.
communicable disease
A disease that can spread from one person, or animal, to another.