A common dermal and neurologic disorder caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus that has remained dormant within dorsal root ganglia, often for decades, after the patient's initial exposure to the virus in the form of varicella (chickenpox). It is characterized by severe neuralgic pain along the distribution of the affected nerve and crops of clustered vesicles over the area.
Definition (MSHFRE)
Infection aiguë mais généralement limitée, due à une réactivation du virus de la varicelle et du zona (herpès virus 3 humain). Cette infection survient obligatoirement chez des personnes ayant déjà fait une varicelle (partiellement immunisées). Le virus reste latent dans les cellules des ganglions des nerfs sensitifs et la réactivation se fait dans le territoire d'un des nerfs sensitifs. Elle est caractérisée au niveau de la peau par une éruption vésiculaire à topographie radiculaire, en général unilatérale, évoluant par poussées et associée à des douleurs très sévères le long des nerfs infectés.(Extr. Dorland, 27ème éd.)
Definition (MEDLINEPLUS)
Shingles is a disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus - the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you have chickenpox, the virus stays in your body. It may not cause problems for many years. As you get older, the virus may reappear as shingles. Unlike chickenpox, you can't catch shingles from someone who has it.
Early signs of shingles include burning or shooting pain and tingling or itching, usually on one side of the body or face. The pain can be mild to severe. Blisters then form and last from one to 14 days. If shingles appears on your face, it may affect your vision or hearing. The pain of shingles may last for weeks, months or even years after the blisters have healed.
There is no cure for shingles. Early treatment with medicines that fight the virus may help. These medicines may also help prevent lingering pain. A vaccine may prevent shingles or lessen its effects. The vaccine is for people 60 or over.
NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Definition (CSP)
acute infectious, usually self-limited, disease believed to represent activation of latent varicella zoster virus in those who have been rendered partially immune after a previous attack of chickenpox; it involves the sensory ganglia and their areas of innervation and is characterized by severe neuralgic pain along the distribution of the affected nerve and crops of clustered vesicles over the area.
Definition (MSH)
An acute infectious, usually self-limited, disease believed to represent activation of latent varicella-zoster virus (HERPESVIRUS 3, HUMAN) in those who have been rendered partially immune after a previous attack of CHICKENPOX. It involves the SENSORY GANGLIA and their areas of innervation and is characterized by severe neuralgic pain along the distribution of the affected nerve and crops of clustered vesicles over the area. (From Dorland, 27th ed)