J Korean Med Assoc.  2008 Jun;51(6):536-542. 10.5124/jkma.2008.51.6.536.

Zoster-associated Pain

• Yoon KB

• KMID: 1481926
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2008.51.6.536

Abstract

The burden of illness from herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia is quite high both to the affected patients and to the society. The incidence and severity of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia increase with age in association with a decline in cell mediated immunity to varicella zoster virus. Antiviral agents have been shown to be effective in reducing the morbidity of herpes zoster. Zoster associated pain should be treated early and aggressively, because it is more difficult to treat once established. Therefore, patients at a high risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia should be referred to pain clinic specialist earlier, rather than later. Varicella zoster virus vaccine has proven to be effective in reducing the incidence of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia in older adults.

Keyword

Herpes zoster; Postherpetic neuralgia; Treatment; Prevention

MeSH Terms

Antiviral Agents
Cost of Illness
Herpes Zoster
Herpesvirus 3, Human
Humans
Immunity, Cellular
Incidence
Neuralgia, Postherpetic
Pain Clinics
Specialization
Antiviral Agents

Figure

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  Figure 1 Coupling between primary afferent neuron and sympathetic neuron after nerve injury (NA, noradrenalin).

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  Figure 2 Algorithm for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia (TCA: tricyclic antidepressants, SNRI; serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors).

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