Thank you Dr. Julien Nguyen for an excellent presentation on herpes zoster and indications for IV treatment

Teaching Points: 

• Herpes Zoster is a reactivation of VZV in ganglia, leading to acute neuritis with a dermatomal rash, sometimes followed by post-herpetic neuralgia in 10% of patients
• Goal is to initiate treatment within 72 hrs of onset with an antiviral
• Indications for IV tx:
  • Disseminated zoster
  • Severe immunocompromised state
  • Herpes zoster ophthalmicus
  • CNS involvement
  • Significant bacterial superinfection
  • Failed PO therapy
• The Shingles Prevention Study demonstrated that HZ vaccine significantly reduced the morbidity due to HZ and PHN in older adults. Read more from the Journal of Infectious Disease