Question

A 50-year-old male recently underwent a liver transplant and is taking immunosuppressive drugs. He now has painful vesicular eruptions on the face and trunk. He reports that he had chickenpox as a child. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis based on his chicken pox history?
Incorrect Response

1) Impetigo
2) Cellulitis
3) Herpes zoster
4) Warts
5) Erysipelas

Answer 1

Answer:

3) Herpes zoster

Explanation:

Herpes zoster, popularly known as shingles, is a viral infection caused by the same chicken pox virus, Varicella-zoster, which may remain dormant or inactive in the spinal column and be reactivated in people after 50 years of age if expressive drop in immunity. In most cases, the disease manifests once and disappears after a few weeks. Anyone who has had chicken pox can develop an episode of herpes zoster. In the case of the man exposed in the question, we can say that he is having a case of hespes zoster, because he already had chickenpox when younger and is now taking immunosuppressive drugs, which weaken the immune system.