Question

81 y/o, 3 days fever, malaise and severe pain L ribcage. Red rash with clear vesicles overlaid in T5 dermatome. Causal agent:

Answer 1

The symptoms described are consistent with a diagnosis of shingles, caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. Shingles typically affects older adults and can be confirmed and treated by a healthcare professional.

Step-by-step explanation:

The symptoms described in the question, including fever and a rash with clear vesicles overlaid in the T5 dermatome, are consistent with the diagnosis of shingles. Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. When the virus becomes reactivated, it can cause a painful rash along a specific nerve pathway, known as a dermatome. In this case, the rash is affecting the T5 dermatome.

Shingles typically occurs in older adults, like the 81-year-old in the question, as the virus can lie dormant in the body for many years after a previous episode of chickenpox. The virus can be reactivated due to factors such as aging, a weakened immune system, or stress.

To confirm the diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment, it is important for the individual to consult a healthcare professional.