• CDC
  • Heart Failure
  • Cardiovascular Clinical Consult
  • Adult Immunization
  • Hepatic Disease
  • Rare Disorders
  • Pediatric Immunization
  • Implementing The Topcon Ocular Telehealth Platform
  • Weight Management
  • Screening
  • Monkeypox
  • Guidelines
  • Men's Health
  • Psychiatry
  • Allergy
  • Nutrition
  • Women's Health
  • Cardiology
  • Substance Use
  • Pediatrics
  • Kidney Disease
  • Genetics
  • Complimentary & Alternative Medicine
  • Dermatology
  • Endocrinology
  • Oral Medicine
  • Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases
  • Pain
  • Gastrointestinal Disorders
  • Geriatrics
  • Infection
  • Musculoskeletal Disorders
  • Obesity
  • Rheumatology
  • Technology
  • Cancer
  • Nephrology
  • Anemia
  • Neurology
  • Pulmonology

Herpes Zoster

Article

This is a classic case of herpes zoster. Note that the rash is limited to T5-6 dermatomes.

A 36-year-old man experienced left-sided chest pain for 3 days, after which these skin eruptions developed. The patient was ostensibly in good health.

Key point: Close examination disclosed that the curvilinear eruption consisted of both erythematous papules and small plaques, often surmounted by small vesicles. This is a classic case of herpes zoster. Note that the rash is limited to T5-6 dermatomes.

Treatment: The patient was given oral valacyclovir (1 g, tid) for 7 days. The use of concomitant gabapentin was discussed, but the patient declined to take an additional medication.  

Note: In cases of shingles, pain often precedes the characteristic skin eruption by a few days to a week. The absence of a rash does not preclude the diagnosis of herpes zoster.

Related Content
© 2024 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.