Shingles (Herpes Zoster) | A Clinical Medicine Brief

DERM 101: Shingles (Herpes Zoster) | Clinical Medicine Brief In this episode of the DERM 101 sub-series, guest host Angie Urbina, MPAS, PA-C, walks us through Shingles (Herpes Zoster), a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) that causes a painful, blistering rash. Learn how to recognize, manage, and prevent shingles while understanding its complications and relevance for the PANCE and clinical practice. What we’ll cover: • Pathophysiology: How the varicella-zoster virus lays dormant in sensory ganglia and reactivates later in life. • Clinical presentation: • Painful, unilateral, vesicular rash that follows a dermatomal distribution. • Prodromal symptoms like tingling or burning before the rash appears. • Recognizing complications like postherpetic neuralgia and ophthalmic involvement (herpes zoster ophthalmicus). • Risk factors: Advanced age, immunosuppression, and stress. • Management strategies: • Antiviral therapy (e.g., acyclovir, valacyclovir) to reduce severity and duration. • Pain management options, including NSAIDs, gabapentin, and topical agents. • Prevention with the shingles vaccine (Shingrix). • Practical pearls for recognizing "book med" vs. "street med" approaches to shingles care. • A vignette-style knowledge check to reinforce your learning! 🎧 Listen to this episode on: • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2gn5uJP... • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... #propapodcast #shingles #herpeszoster #derm101 #panceprep #pastudents #physicianassistant #clinicalmedicine shingles podcast, herpes zoster, dermatomal rash, shingles treatment, postherpetic neuralgia, varicella-zoster virus reactivation, shingles vaccine Shingrix, PANCE dermatology prep, PA student podcast, DERM 101 shingles, Pro PA podcast, high-yield dermatology