Zoster lesions occur simultaneously and remain in congruent stages of healing. In the ED, diagnosis of herpes zoster is based primarily on clinical findings. Patients with herpes zoster usually experience severe pain. In many cases, narcotic analgesia is necessary. Antivirals - Acyclovir antivirals may decrease incidence of postherpetic neuralgia.
Analgesics ensure patient comfort, promote pulmonary toilet, and enable physical therapy regimens.
Most analgesics have sedating properties that are beneficial for patients who have skin lesions. Reduces fever by a direct action on the hypothalamic heat-regulating centers, which increases dissipation of body heat via vasodilation and sweating. Inhibits inflammatory reactions and pain probably by decreasing the activity of the enzyme cyclo-oxygenase, which results in prostaglandin synthesis. Theoretically, current varicella vaccines will reduce zoster incidence. Vaccines are being tested for prevention of herpes zoster in individuals previously infected with wild VZ virus.