Highlights & Basics
- Herpes zoster (also known as shingles) typically presents with pain described as burning or stabbing, followed by a vesicular rash in the affected dermatome; location of symptoms depends on the affected nerve.
- Diagnosis is primarily based on the typical clinical symptoms, such as dermatomal pain and eruption of grouped vesicles in the same dermatome. Confirmation can be done using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods.
- Treatment is primarily to reduce pain using analgesics and viral replication using antiviral medication such as acyclovir.
- Antiviral therapy may reduce the severity of postherpetic neuralgia. Early antiviral therapy is particularly important in ophthalmic zoster and zoster in the immunocompromised.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
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Diagnostics Tests
Treatment Options
Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Images
Severe herpes zoster in an immunocompromised patient involving dermatomes T1 and T2
Severe herpes zoster in an immunocompromised patient involving dermatomes T1 and T2
Severe herpes zoster in an immunocompromised patient showing multiple groupled vesicles, a few pustules, and extensive blackish adherent crusts with underlying erosions noted
Citations
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Severson EA, Baratz KH, Hodge DO, et al. Herpes zoster ophthalmicus in Olmsted County, Minnesota: have systemic antivirals made a difference? Arch Ophthalmol. 2003 Mar;121(3):386-90.[Abstract][Full Text]
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