| The study shows that the clinical course of herpes zoster is relatively benign and that postherpetic neuralgia rarely affects daily life. |
| Herpes zoster results from reactivation of latent varicella zoster virus infection. |
| Herpes zoster, commonly called shingles, means a girdle in the old sense of a belt. |
| Herpes zoster is caused by reactivation of varicella-zoster virus from a dorsal root ganglion to a cutaneous nerve and the adjacent skin. |
| Topical corticosteroids are often recommended in addition to oral antiviral agents to help reduce the pain and inflammation of herpes zoster. |
| The characteristic vesicular rash of herpes zoster usually affects a single dermatome and rarely crosses the midline. |
