Vesicular herpes zoster eruption following chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment in the emergency department: lessons learnt from immunosuppression
Abstract
Background: Herpes zoster (HZ) is a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) that can occur in people with weakened immune systems. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease that can also impair the immune system.6-8.
Case presentation: The authors present the case of a 65-year-old male with COPD who developed HZ. The patient was initially admitted to the hospital for an acute exacerbation of COPD. After his condition stabilized, he developed vesicular rashes on the medial aspect of his left leg. A skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of HZ.
Clinical discussion: This case report provides further evidence that HZ can be induced in patients who are undergoing treatment for COPD. The authors recommend that COPD patients be vaccinated against HZ to prevent this complication.
Conclusion: HZ can develop in COPD patients, mainly using inhaled steroids. Compliance to medication should be monitored, on the other hand zoster vaccination should be provided to prevent it and its foremost complication which includes secondary bacterial infection, post-herpetic neuralgia, scarring, nerve palsy and encephalitis in case with disseminated zoster.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a case report, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.
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