1. Those with a history of chickenpox may have this virus reactivate, the resulting condition can occur during any immunocompromised state of a client with a Hx of chickenpox
2. The dormant virus is located in the dorsal nerve root ganglia of the sensory cranial and spinal nerves
3. . Eruptions occur in a segmental distribution on the skin area along the infected nerve and show up after sevel days of discomfort in the area. Severe pain can remain after the lesions resolve
4. Diagnosis is determined by visual examination, and by Tzanck smear to verify an infection and viral culture too identify the organism