Treatment of acute herpetic neuralgia. A case report and review of the literature
Hess, T.M.; Lutz, L.J.; Nauss, L.A.; Lamer, T.J.
Minnesota Medicine 73(4): 37-40
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0026-556X PMID: 2186265 Document Number: 360977
Herpes zoster (shingles) is a viral infection that results from a reactivation of a dormant varicella zoster virus. It has been estimated that more than 300,000 new cases are seen in the United States each year. Several factors influence the incidence of infection, with increasing age being the most consistent. Postherpetic neuralgia is the No. 1 cause of intractable, debilitating pain in the elderly and is the leading cause of suicide in chronic pain patients over the age of 70.