title: [Herpes zoster: the associated burden and its prevention].
abstract: The burden of illness and healthcare resource utilisation associated with herpes zoster in individuals aged 60 years or above is substantial, causing severe loss of quality of life. In the absence of antiviral therapy, up to 45% of over 60 year-olds experience pain which persists for months to years. The importance of preventive strategies for PHN is becoming widely recognised. The aim of the present review is not only to present the herpes zoster-associated burden, but also to detail the effectiveness of the preventive approaches currently available.
authors.affiliation: Département de médecine interne, réhabilitation et gériatrie, Hôpitaux universitaires et Faculté de médecine de Genève, Suisse.
authors.forename: Pierre-Olivier
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Lang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D053061:Herpes Zoster Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000458:organization & administration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012307:Risk Factors; D013557:Switzerland
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D053061:Herpes Zoster Vaccine