Yeungnam Univ J Med.  2016 Jun;33(1):1-7. 10.12701/yujm.2016.33.1.1.

Diverse clinical manifestations caused by varicella-zoster virus reactivation

• Park H

• KMID: 2328104
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12701/yujm.2016.33.1.1

Abstract

The two distinctive clinical features of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) are varicella (chickenpox) by primary infection and zoster (singles) by the reactivation of latent infection. In addition to the two typical clinical symptoms mentioned above, diverse clinical manifestations have been reported as a result of VZV reactivation, including chronic radicular pain without rash, visual loss, facial palsy, dysphagia, sore throat, odynophagia, otalgia, hearing loss, dizziness, headache, hemiplegia, etc. Most of these symptoms are derived from neuropathy and vasculopathy of affected nerves and arteries. Diagnosis of VZV disease can be difficult if there is no appearance of a skin rash during development of atypical symptoms. In addition to natural infection, vaccination and anti-viral agent treatment have influenced the changes of epidemics and clinical presentations of varicella and zoster. In this article, diverse clinical manifestations caused by VZV reactivation, particular without skin rash, are reviewed.

Keyword

Varicella-zoster virus; Herpes zoster; Zoster sine herpete; Cranial neuropathy; Vasculopathy

MeSH Terms

Arteries
Chickenpox
Cranial Nerve Diseases
Deglutition Disorders
Diagnosis
Dizziness
Earache
Exanthema
Facial Paralysis
Headache
Hearing Loss
Hemiplegia
Herpes Zoster
Herpesvirus 3, Human*
Pharyngitis
Vaccination
Zoster Sine Herpete