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Bullous Viral Eruptions

»	What do herpes simplex (HSV) virus and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) have in common?
»	What happens during primary HSV infection?
»	What about recurrent infection?
»	What is the difference between a primary and an initial HSV infection?
»	How is HSV transmitted?
»	How long is incubation period for HSV (i.e., the time from initial infection to appearance of vesicles)?
»	Define asymptomatic shedding.
»	Can you be infected with HSV and not know it?
»	How do HSV-1 and -2 differ?
»	How do you diagnose HSV infection?
»	How is a Tzanck smear performed?
»	What are the drugs of choice for treatment of HSV?
»	When is chronic suppressive therapy indicated?
»	Are patients with genital herpes at greater risk for becoming infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)?
»	What recommendations can you make to a patient with genital herpes to reduce the risk of transmission to his or her partner?
»	Can HSV infect the skin in areas other than around the mouth or anogenital areas?
»	How does a baby get herpes? Is it a serious problem?
»	Describe the natural history of varicella.
»	What is shingles?
»	Can herpes zoster be recurrent?
»	What is disseminated zoster?
»	Is herpes zoster contagious?
»	What is postherpetic neuralgia?
»	How do you diagnose VZV infection?
»	What is the treatment for varicella?
»	How about herpes zoster?
»	Should I be concerned about the patient with herpes zoster involving the tip of the nose?
»	Who should get the herpes zoster vaccine?
»	What is hand, foot, and mouth disease?
»	What is orf?

Is herpes zoster contagious?

Herpes zoster is the result of reactivation of latent VZV in the sensory ganglia. There is no evidence that a person can develop herpes zoster as a result of contact with patients with either varicella or herpes zoster. However, direct contact with the cutaneous lesions may result in transmission of primary varicella to a susceptible host.