Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Sampathkumar P
PROVIDER: S-EPMC2664599 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Mar
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Mayo Clinic proceedings 20090301 3
Herpes zoster (HZ), commonly called shingles, is a distinctive syndrome caused by reactivation of varicella zoster virus (VZV). This reactivation occurs when immunity to VZV declines because of aging or immunosuppression. Herpes zoster can occur at any age but most commonly affects the elderly population. Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), defined as pain persisting more than 3 months after the rash has healed, is a debilitating and difficult to manage consequence of HZ. The diagnosis of HZ is usuall ...[more]