Preherpetic neuralgia

Preherpetic neuralgia is a form of nerve pain (neuralgia) specifically associated with a Shingles (herpes zoster) viral infection. This nerve pain often precedes visible indications of a Shingles infection and consequently can be a key early indicator of a need to begin preventative anti-viral drug therapy. Pain associated with Shingles can be extremely difficult to treat whereas the source is related to the virus attacking the nervous system itself. Pain symptoms can last months or years beyond any outward sign of viral infection and can be quite severe. The combination of extreme pain severity and longevity can contribute to chronic depression and even suicide.

See also

• Ramsay Hunt syndrome type 2
• Postherpetic neuralgia

Further reading

• Nagane, Y; Utsugisawa, K; Yonezawa, H; Tohgi, H (2001). "A case with trigeminal herpes zoster manifesting a long lesion of the spinal trigeminal nucleus and tract on MR T2-weighted image". Rinsho Shinkeigaku (Clinical Neurology). 41 (1): 56–9. PMID 11433769.
• Wasner, G; Kleinert, A; Binder, A; Schattschneider, J; Baron, R (2005). "Postherpetic neuralgia: Topical lidocaine is effective in nociceptor–deprived skin". Journal of Neurology. 252 (6): 677–86. doi:10.1007/s00415-005-0717-z. PMID 15778907. S2CID 28196047.
• Holland, N Julian; Weiner, Graeme M (2004). "Recent developments in Bell's palsy". BMJ. 329 (7465): 553–7. doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7465.553. PMC 516110. PMID 15345630.
• Trescot, Andrea M. (2006). "Shingles and interventional pain treatment". ASIPP News: 22–3.
• Sarraf, S; Singh, S; Pandey, S. S (1996). "Preherpetic neuralgia masquerading as angina". Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology. 62 (1): 63. PMID 20947984.
• Sandipan, Dhar; Amrinder, Kanwar (1993). "Pre-herpetic neuralgia masquerading as migraine". Indian Journal of Dermatology. 59 (3): 155.
• Segal, Alan Z. (2005). "A Vaccine to Prevent Shingles—treating Post-herpetic Neuralgia in a Pre-herpetic State". Neurology Alert. 23 (12): 92–3.