The addition of gabapentin to valacyclovir within 72 hours of onset of a herpes zoster rash was not found to provide further relief from acute herpetic pain or to better prevent postherpetic neuralgia.
Ultrasound-guided cervical nerve root block may be effective in reducing acute cervical herpes zoster-related burden of illness and the risk for postherpetic neuralgia.
A healthcare provider’s recommendation is the strongest factor in influencing an elderly person’s decision to become vaccinated.
Results from the ASCEND study recently published in BioMed Central Neurology indicate that an 8% capsaicin patch is effective in relieving peripheral neuropathic pain resulting from a wide range of etiologies.
Patients with RA are often not appropriately vaccinated against herpes zoster, despite vaccine recommendations.
Because the increased cytokine levels in the acute phase of herpes zoster are assumed to be a potential mechanism for inducing PHN, the early suppression of these cytokines by LLLT may help prevent the development of PHN.
