Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Herpes zoster and pain.

M J Wood1

  • 1Department of Communicable and Tropical Diseases, East Birmingham Hospital, England.

Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases. Supplementum
|January 1, 1991
PubMed
Summary

Herpes zoster pain, including acute and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), is influenced by patient age and rash distribution. Antivirals and steroids help acute pain, while tricyclic antidepressants are optimal for established PHN.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Topology-inclusive aerodynamic shape optimisation using a cellular automata parameterisation.

Structural and multidisciplinary optimization : journal of the International Society for Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization·2025
Same author

Interpopulation differences and temporal synchrony in rates of adult survival between two seabird colonies that differ in population size and distance to foraging grounds.

Ecology and evolution·2023
Same author

Optimizing the Application Timing and Dosage of Metarhizium brunneum (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) as a Biological Control Agent of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Larvae.

Journal of medical entomology·2022
Same author

Association of tramadol with risk of myocardial infarction among patients with osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis and cartilage·2019
Same author

Synovial CD4+ T-cell-derived GM-CSF supports the differentiation of an inflammatory dendritic cell population in rheumatoid arthritis.

Annals of the rheumatic diseases·2015
Same author

Flow dynamics using high-frequency jet ventilation in a model of bronchopleural fistula.

British journal of anaesthesia·2013

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Virology
  • Pain Management

Background:

  • Herpes zoster (shingles) commonly causes distressing acute pain.
  • Pain can persist as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) long after rash resolution.
  • PHN pathophysiology is complex and not fully understood, possibly multifactorial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the factors influencing herpes zoster pain.
  • To discuss management strategies for acute pain and PHN.
  • To explore potential preventative measures for PHN.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on herpes zoster and PHN.
  • Analysis of factors affecting pain incidence and duration.
  • Evaluation of treatment efficacy for acute pain and PHN.

Main Results:

  • Acute pain is linked to viral replication and neuronal inflammation, responsive to antivirals and steroids.
  • Patient age and rash distribution significantly impact acute pain and PHN development/duration.
  • Conventional analgesics are often ineffective for established PHN; tricyclic antidepressants show optimal efficacy.

Conclusions:

  • PHN prevention is not currently possible, though early antiviral use may be beneficial.
  • Management of acute herpes zoster pain involves antivirals and steroids.
  • Tricyclic antidepressants represent the optimal therapy for established postherpetic neuralgia.

Related Experiment Videos