Prevention is the best strategy against postherpetic neuralgia.

2002 DEC 11 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Pain management specialists in England emphasize the necessity of educating both the public and health care personnel about early recognition and management of postherpetic neuralgia.

"Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a common complication of herpes zoster [a.k.a. varicella zoster, chickenpox], particularly in the elderly and in persons with severe symptoms at presentation. Unless varicella vaccination reduces the incidence of herpes zoster and attenuates the risk and/or severity of complications, PHN will continue to result in significant suffering and remain a consumer of health care and related social support resources," stated R.W. Johnson and colleagues, University of Bristol, Avon.

"Although there have been useful advances in the management of PHN (e.g., the use of the anticonvulsant gabapentin), some cases remain intractable," the researchers said. "Prevention remains the preferred strategy, and antiviral drugs are the most well established means of preventing the development of pain. Other interventions require further evaluation (nerve blocks, acute-phase tricyclic antidepressant, or anticonvulsant use)."