post-herpetic neuralgia may be seen following herpes zoster infection
defined as pain persisting 3 months or more after resolution of the cutaneous HZ lesions.
is the most common complication
incidence and severity increases with age
temporary paralysis (1-5%) usually follows the dermatome involved and may affect bladder and bowel function
disseminated HZ occurs primarily in immunocompromised patients; it usually presents with a dermatomal eruption followed by dissemination but may also present with a diffuse varicella-like eruption (1)
systemic dissemination may accompany the skin changes with involvement of the lung, liver, and brain
visceral dissemination is associated with a mortality rate of 5% to 15%, with most deaths attributable to pneumonia
neurologic complications of HZ may include:
acute or chronic encephalitis
myelitis
aseptic meningitis
polyradiculitis
retinitis
autonomic dysfunction
motor neuropathies
Guillain-Barre syndrome
hemiparesis
cranial or peripheral nerve palsies
more common complications include bacterial superinfection by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes, scarring, and hyperpigmentation
secondary infection - especially dangerous in the ophthalmic division.
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