Routine antiviral treatment for herpes zoster unnecessary

Trials of antiviral treatment have suggested post-herpetic neuralgia is common; hence the rationale for a therapy that may prevent it. But a longitudinal study conducted by Helgason et al (p 794) of 421 patients presenting to their GPs with acute zoster infection found that the incidence of long standing pain in untreated patients was very low and mainly mild. This suggests that most patients only require analgesics and reassurance.


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Relevant Article

Prevalence of postherpetic neuralgia after a first episode of herpes zoster: prospective study with long term follow up
Sigurdur Helgason, Gunnar Petursson, Sigurdur Gudmundsson, and Johann A Sigurdsson
BMJ 2000 321: 794. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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