Varicella, herpes zoster and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: serious cutaneous complications

Varicella and herpes zoster are due to varicella-zoster virus. Outcome of both infections is generally favourable. The most frequent severe complications are invasive streptococcal and staphylococcal superinfections, especially in children. A nested case-control study conducted within a British cohort showed a statistically significant increase in the risk of severe cutaneous complications in patients with varicella or herpes zoster who took nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). No such increase was reported in patients who took paracetamol. These findings are in keeping with previously published data. In practice, fever and pain associated with varicella or herpes zoster should be treated with paracetamol, not a NSAID.