Herpes Zoster and Postherpetic Neuralgia: Prevention and Management

AARON SAGUIL, MD, MPH, SHAWN KANE, MD, MICHAEL MERCADO, MD, AND REBECCA LAUTERS, MD Am Fam Physician. 2017;96(10):656-663 NOTE: On October 25, 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted to recommend the herpes zoster recombinant subunit vaccine (Shingrix) for healthy adults 50 years and older, including those who previously received Zostavax, to prevent shingles and related complications. This article has been revised to reflect the new recommendations. For more information, visit the CDC page on shingles (herpes zoster) vaccination. Author disclosure: No relevant financial affiliations. Article Sections Herpes zoster, or shingles, is caused by reactivation of varicella zoster virus, which causes chickenpox. There are an estimated 1 million cases in the Unites States annually, with an individual lifetime risk of 30%. Patients with conditions that decrease cell-mediated immunity are 20 to 100 times more likely to dev...