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Airborne Precautions for the Herpes Zoster Virus

Swine flu, bird flu, SARS--the world has been facing communicable disease pandemics for the past 10 years. Recently, American healthcare and media have been focusing on vaccinations for herpes varciella zoster--commonly known as shingles. Many people want to know if there are other ways to prevent the transmission of shingles.

  1. Shingles

    • Zoster is a variant of varicella, the virus which causes chickenpox. Shingles often accompanies or stems from having had chickenpox.

      Although zoster is part of the herpes family of viruses, it is not herpes simplex I or II, the viruses more commonly referred to as "herpes" which are responsible for cold sores and genital lesions. And while shingles doesn't last a lifetime and isn't sexually transmitted, it is communicable and can have serious risks for those with weakened immune systems or who are very young or old.

    Transmission

    • Shingles is basically a secondary infection of chickenpox. Anyone who has had chickenpox can have the zoster remain in his system, lying dormant. If zoster awakes, it often travels to the central nervous system which helps distribute it throughout the body.

      The result is a rash very similar to chickenpox, only it usually forms in a row or orderly pattern on one side of the body. In many cases shingles hurt, with shooting pains or tingling reported.

      Because Shingles can only happen to those who have had chicken pox, there is no direct way to get shingles. Someone who is not vaccinated for Varciella or Varicella Zoster can contract chicken pox from a shingles patient. Transmission can only occur when the shingles blisters have burst and are oozing, and before they crust over. Once the open blisters have crusted, Varicella is no longer communicable.

    Airborne Prevention

    • Varicella is not transmitted through the air. Varicella is primarily passed on through physical contact, direct and indirect. Someone who has never had chicken pox or the varicella vaccine should avoid touching anything a shingles patient has touched and especially avoid touching the patient.

      Otherwise, the usual common sense rules apply. Keep surfaces clean and disinfected Lysol and other disinfecting products can help with cleaning counters, bathrooms, etc to make sure there aren't any live viruses from indirect contact. Wash sheets, towels and clothing of the patient promptly once she has moved into the "crusted over" phase.

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