Epidemiology of Varicella Zoster Virus and Herpes Zoster Virus in Gulf Cooperation Council Countries: A Review of the Literature

Health-seeking behaviors and determinants among herpes zoster patients in South Wollo public hospitals, Ethiopia, 2022

Background

Health-seeking behavior towards herpes zoster is vital to find an appropriate remedy for patients and utilization of timely healthcare services can have an impact on good health outcomes. The study aimed to assess the health-seeking behavior and determinants among Herpes Zoster patients in public hospitals, South Wollo, Ethiopia.

Method

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from September 1, 2022, to November 30, 2022. The simple random sampling technique was used to select 419 participants. Pretested, structured questionnaires and patient interviews were used to collect the data. The bivariable analysis was done and variables with p-value <0.25 were further examined using a multivariable logistic regression model. AOR with a 95 % CI and a P-value <0.05 at a 5 % level of significance were considered.

Results

About 55.6 % of patients had poor health-seeking behavior towards herpes zoster, with a response rate of 99.1 %. Distance from health facilities (AOR = 4.9; 95 % CI: 1.33-10.35), being rural residence (AOR = 0.3; 95 % CI: 0.17-0.40), being illiterate (AOR = 5.9; 95 % CI: 3.40-10.32), poor self-care adherence (AOR = 1.8; 95 % CI = 1.14-3.07), moderate depression (AOR = 7.3; 95 % CI: 4.10-11.50), moderate (AOR = 0.3; 95 % CI: 0.10-0.70) and severe anxiety (AOR = 0.1; 95 % CI: 0.01-0.63), and duration more than seven days of herpes zoster (AOR = 3.1; 95 % CI = 1.42-6.97) were statistically significant.

Conclusion

Nearly half of the study participants had poor health-seeking behavior. Being a rural resident and illiterate, poor self-care adherence, moderate and severe anxiety, moderate depression, and duration of more than 7 days were significantly associated. with health-seeking behavior towards Herpes Zoster. Proper guidance, psychological support, and awareness creation about Herpes Zoster severity and complications.

Reactivation of Herpes Zoster in a Young Patient With Multiple Sclerosis Under Dimethyl Fumarate Treatment and Normal Lymphocyte Subsets Count: A Case Report

Herpes zoster (HZ) infection results from the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which remains dormant in the dorsal root ganglia after an initial chickenpox infection. Although HZ appears more common in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) than expected in the general population, few studies have investigated this association, particularly with a normal absolute lymphocyte count (ALC). Additionally, no reported cases have discussed the clinical presentation of such patients. This report describes the case of a 26-year-old female with a known history of relapsing-remitting MS on dimethyl fumarate (DMF) treatment. She presented with a history of painful erythematous blisters, diagnosed as acute HZ infection with a normal ALC. This case provides evidence that warrants further research and attention to the management of patients with MS receiving DMF, particularly regarding infectious risks. It highlights the importance of pharmacovigilance and the potential benefits of VZV and HZ immunization in DMF recipients.