Shingles: Vaccination Can Prevent It
Post-herpetic neuralgia is the dreaded complication.
Dr. Hélène Marquet
Infectious Diseases
Burning or tingling pain in a dermatome, followed within days by a vesicular rash. Most often thoracic, but ophthalmic shingles is an emergency.
Antiviral treatment
Valaciclovir within 72 hours of rash onset reduces severity and post-herpetic neuralgia risk.
Post-herpetic neuralgia
Pain persisting >3 months after the rash. Difficult to treat: gabapentin, pregabalin, tricyclics, topical lidocaine or capsaicin.
Vaccination
Recombinant zoster vaccine (Shingrix) is highly effective and recommended for adults from 50 — even those with prior shingles.
Vision changes during shingles around the eye demand same-day ophthalmology review.
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