Zoster-Associated Complications
Postherpetic neuralgia—the most common zoster complication—can result in severe, chronic pain.7,12
Allodynia—90% of patients with postherpetic neuralgia develop allodynia—distressing and debilitating pain caused by even the slightest touch.7,11
Patients have described postherpetic neuralgia as burning, throbbing, stabbing, shooting, and/or sharp pain.7
- Postherpetic neuralgia can persist for months or even years.9
- Chronic neuropathic pain will develop in a subgroup of zoster patients despite appropriate antiviral treatment.2
Severe zoster ophthalmicus—Photograph reprinted with permission from Pavan-Langston D. Ophthalmic zoster. In: Arvin AM, Gershon AA, eds. Varicella-Zoster Virus: Virology and Clinical Management. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press; 2000:276—298.13
Zoster complications may include bacterial superinfection and scarring.7
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Disease Animation
View the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) depicting the latency of VZV.
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