Case Study VI
Mbinglo Peter
Lakeview College of Nursing
N309, Nursing of the Gerontological Client
 June, 24, 2011

Case Study VI		
1. It is caused by the same virus, varicella, that causes chickenpox (McCance et al, 2010). When it infects you when you were young, it caused what is called Chicken pox. When that was treated, some of viruses went latent and unfortunately they do this in your nerves. Later on, they may be reactivated and this time they cause what is called Herpes Zoster or Shingles (McCance et al, 2010). (Mauk, 2009)
2. You got it when you got chicken pox. The same virus that caused chicken pox in you is the same virus that is causing shingles in you. It went dormant, after your chicken pox was treated, in your neurons and has now been reactivated. Plus to that, you are above 50years a reason for reactivation (www.webmd.com). It can be reactivated by a suppressed immune system, emotions or a psychological stress. (Mauk, 2009)
3. What kind of medications have you been taking for the pain? We might have to change your pain medication if you are taking any. How about we try acetaminophen, and lotion, and if your pain does not get better, then I will have you consult with a physician for re-evaluation. However you can use relaxation techniques like listening to music, focusing on your breathing, distraction, and guided imagery to alleviate your pain (Carpenito-Moyet, 2010).
4. Not this time around. Usually the sores or dermatones are usually along that nerve route. The usually do not cross the center of your body and are thus localized (McCance et al, 2010). So you will not get any sores on your mouth and bottom of your feet.
5.  You are contagious till the rashes heal; hence you need to avoid people. (www.webmd.com)
6. You will start to feel better when your healing starts occurring and that is from 2 – 4 weeks. Your pain will usually subside in 3 -5 weeks. Other complications like postherpectic neuralgia may last 6 – 12 months (Mauk, 2009). Your friend probably reacted differently to it; however it is important to know that there are other complications that can results from shingles like vision changes and changes in your memory (www.webmd.com).
7. Yes you can still get it again if it is not properly treated. Remember it is virus that has gone latent that causes it. It can be prevented using a vaccine called Zostavax and it is recommended for everyone above age 60. The beauty here is that it is covered by Medicare too. (Mauk, 2009)

References
Carpenitor-M oyet. L. (2010). Nursing diagnosis: Application to clinical Practice (13th ed.). 	Philadelphia: PA. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Mauk, K. L. (2010). Gerontological nursing: Competencies for care (2nd ed). Boston, MA: 	Jones & Bartlett.
McCance, K., Huether, S., Brashers, V., & Rote, N. (2010). Pathophysiology: The biological 	basis for disease in adults and children (6th Ed). Maryland Heights, MO: Mosby Elsevier  
Shingles Health Center. Retrieved from:  http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-	treatments/shingles/shingles-topic-overview