Psychological stress as a trigger for herpes zoster: might the conventional wisdom be wrong?
The causes for zoster remain largely unknown. Psychological stress is one commonly considered risk factor. We used self-controlled case series methods to look for increases in zoster following death or catastrophic health event occurring in a previously healthy spouse. We found no increase, although this stressor led to increased mental health visits.
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
Rafael
R
Harpaz
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
Jessica W
JW
Leung
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
Cedric J
CJ
Brown
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
Fang Jun
FJ
Zhou
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018454:Spouses; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*
healthcare seeking; self-controlled case series; shingles; stress; zoster