title: Herpetic neuralgia. Use of combination therapy for pain relief in acute and chronic herpes zoster.
abstract: Herpes zoster (shingles) is a localized infection that begins in the dorsal root ganglla of the cranial or spinal nerves and spreads as a rash over the corresponding dermatome. It usually is caused by reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus remaining from childhood chicken pox. Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a chronic neuropathic pain syndrome that occurs as a complication of shingles, most commonly in older persons. Acute zoster and PHN can be severe conditions associated with impaired sleep, decreased appetite, depression, anxiety disorder, and diminished libido. Management of zoster-related pain should begin as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms. Combination therapy--including antiviral, antidepressant, corticosteroid, opioid, and topical agents--provides the most effective analgesia.
authors.affiliation: Harvard Medical School, USA.
authors.forename: Z H
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Bajwa
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Ho
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011379:Prognosis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013127:Spinal Nerves; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000700:Analgesics; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents