title: Severe herpes zoster infection in the United Kingdom: experience in a regional infectious disease unit.
abstract: Seventy-three cases of severe herpes zoster infection admitted to a regional infectious disease unit over a 3-year period were reviewed. Complications were common. Elderly patients were in the majority (55%), were hospitalized for longer and accounted for 78% of all complications. Acyclovir therapy was used in 44 cases with a reduction in both the duration of hospital stay and complication rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Medicine, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bannister
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Crosse
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D004739:England; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000212:Acyclovir