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Chronic Pain and Postherpetic Neuralgia

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Practical Chronic Pain Management

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Abstract

Herpes zoster is a well-known ubiquitous, painful rash which presents in a dermatomal distribution often among aging and/or immunosuppressed populations. One of the most common but devastating sequela of varicella zoster infection, or shingles, is chronic pain at the infected site known as postherpetic neuralgia. Early diagnosis is critical to initiate timely antiviral and neuropathic pain medications to support the individuals’ ability to maintain functional status and quality of life. Fortunately, since 2017, a new FDA-approved vaccine is available in an effort to improve efficacy and sustainability of immunological response. This chapter reviews the diagnosis, pathophysiology, medical and interventional treatments, immunization recommendations, and future directions for further investigation of varicella zoster virus and treatment of postherpetic neuralgia.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison Hospitals and Clinics, Madison, WI, USA

    Beth VanderWielen

  2. Department of Anesthesiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA

    Alaa Abd-Elsayed

Authors
  1. Beth VanderWielen
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  2. Alaa Abd-Elsayed
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    Tariq Malik

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VanderWielen, B., Abd-Elsayed, A. (2020). Chronic Pain and Postherpetic Neuralgia. In: Malik, T. (eds) Practical Chronic Pain Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46675-6_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46675-6_21

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-46674-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-46675-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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