What is postherpetic neuralgia?

4 May 2021

It is a chronic pain in the skin and nervous system caused by the presence of shingles, which can prevail for months or years after the characteristic signs of this viral condition disappear.

Older adults and people with weak immune systems are at higher risk of having postherpetic neuralgia. However, other factors can also trigger postherpetic neuralgia, including:

Having suffered severe shingles with very intense and paralyzing pain.
Appearance of herpes zoster on the face and chest.
Not being vaccinated against shingles.
Diabetes.
Arthritis.
Cirrhosis.
Delayed treatment with antivirals after the rash appears.

Signs and symptoms Postherpetic neuralgia

Intense painful episodes in the chest or on one side of the body.
Burning.
Intolerance to contact or friction with the affected skin.
Itch.
Numbness.
Insensitivity.

Although postherpetic neuralgia has no cure, proper treatment helps reduce discomfort.

Among the risks and complications that can be triggered as a result of postherpetic neuralgia are:

Depression.
Stress, anger, frustration, and helplessness.
Chronic fatigue.
Loss of appetite.
Sleep disorders.

Diagnosis and treatment Postherpetic neuralgia

Once your doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination on the skin to confirm the diagnosis.

Postherpetic neuralgia treatment consists of a combination of drugs that help reduce pain and control symptoms, such as:

Painkillers.
Anticonvulsants.
Antidepressants.
Steroids.
Psychotherapy.

The vaccine is recommended to prevent shingles and postherpetic neuralgia in older adults.

In Saludora Medical Center Internal Medicine Department, we provide you with health care services with the highest quality and safety, from prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and follow-up of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological conditions, both chronic-degenerative and acute, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Fuentes:

topdoctors.es
middlesexhealth.org
tmcaz.com
elsevier.es
mayoclinic.org
medlinesplus.gov
msdmanuals.com
medigraphic.com
Jiménez TA, Viña GML, Navarrete BIZ, et al. Bloqueo en el plano del músculo erector espinal en un paciente con neuralgia posherpética. Rev Cub de Med Fis y Rehab. 2018;10(3):1-6.
García-González AI, Rosas-Carrasco O. Herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia in the elderly: Particularities in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Gac Med Mex. 2017;153(1):92-101.

How can we help you?

The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the Saludora Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.

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Comparison of COVID-19 vaccines

Pfizer-
BioNTech

Pfizer-BioNTech

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 95% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

No Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 16 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysorbate.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, malaise, and swollen lymph nodes.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 14 days of having the complete scheme (after the administration of the 2nd dose), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

Moderna

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 94.5% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 28 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 18 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes in the arm in which you received the injection.

Janssen/
Johnson
& Johnson

Janssen/ Johnson & Johnson

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 72.0% in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.
85% in the prevention of severe COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives./strong>

How many doses are needed?
Only one dose in needed.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 28 days of having the complete scheme (the last dose applied), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from 85% serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

AstraZeneca
and
Oxford
University

AstraZeneca and Oxford University

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 82% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 56 days apart (or up to 84 days apart, if necessary).

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, and fever, which were mild to moderate in intensity and disappeared within 48 hours of vaccination.

Sputnik V

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 92% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

What is postherpetic neuralgia?

Signs and symptoms Postherpetic neuralgia

Diagnosis and treatment Postherpetic neuralgia

Related centers and departments Postherpetic neuralgia

Fuentes:

Index

Specialist in Postherpetic neuralgia