Myelitis is a distinctly unusual manifestation of herpes zoster infection. In most of the cases reported, spinal cord dysfunction began after the appearance of the vesicular rash (3-6). However, a variety of zoster-associated neurologic diseases have been described in the absence of skin lesions (7, 8).
Can shingles cause myelitis?
Viral, bacterial and fungal infections affecting the spinal cord may cause transverse myelitis. In most cases, the inflammatory disorder appears after recovery from the infection. Viruses associated with transverse myelitis are: Herpes viruses, including the one that causes shingles and chickenpox (zoster)
How do you get zoster virus?
A person with shingles can pass the varicella-zoster virus to anyone who isn’t immune to chickenpox. This usually occurs through direct contact with the open sores of the shingles rash. Once infected, the person will develop chickenpox, however, not shingles.
Can shingles cause spinal lesions?
In rare cases, shingles can spread into the brain or spinal cord and cause serious complications such as stroke or meningitis (an infection of the membranes outside the brain and spinal cord).
Can you get shingles in more than one Dermatome?
People with herpes zoster most commonly have a rash in one or two adjacent dermatomes (localized zoster). The rash most commonly appears on the trunk along a thoracic dermatome. The rash does not usually cross the body’s midline. Less commonly, the rash can be more widespread and affect three or more dermatomes.
Can shingles affect the spinal cord?
Can myelitis be cured?
No effective cure currently exists for transverse myelitis, although many people recover from it. Treatments focus on relieving the inflammation that causes the symptoms.
Which virus causes shingles?
People get shingles when the varicella zoster virus, which causes chickenpox, reactivates in their bodies after they have already had chickenpox.
What is postherpetic myelitis?
Overview. Postherpetic neuralgia (post-hur-PET-ik noo-RAL-juh) is the most common complication of shingles. The condition affects nerve fibers and skin, causing burning pain that lasts long after the rash and blisters of shingles disappear. The chickenpox (herpes zoster) virus causes shingles.
