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Previous Volume 347:340-346 August 1, 2002 Number 5 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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This Journal feature begins with a case vignette highlighting a common clinical problem. Evidence supporting various strategies is then presented, followed by a review of formal guidelines, when they exist. The article ends with the authors' clinical recommendations.

A 77-year-old man reports a five-day history of burning and aching pain in his right side and a two-day history of erythema and clusters of clear vesicles, accompanied by headache and malaise. How should he be evaluated and treated?

The Clinical Problem

Epidemiology

Varicella–zoster virus causes two distinct syndromes. Primary infection presents as varicella (or chickenpox), a contagious and usually benign illness that occurs in epidemics . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Natural History

Diagnosis

Postherpetic Neuralgia and Other Complications

Strategies and Evidence

Antiviral Therapy

Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus

Herpes Zoster in HIV-Seropositive Patients

Corticosteroids

Symptomatic Treatment

Postherpetic Neuralgia

Areas of Uncertainty

Does Every Patient with Herpes Zoster Require Antiviral Therapy?

Can Antiviral Therapy Be Used Successfully in Patients Presenting after 72 Hours?

Can Postherpetic Neuralgia Be Prevented?

Can Herpes Zoster Be Prevented?

Guidelines

Conclusions and Recommendations

Source Information

From the Departments of Medicine (J.W.G., R.J.W.), Microbiology (J.W.G., R.J.W.), and Pediatrics (R.J.W.), University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (J.W.G.) — both in Birmingham, Ala.

Address reprint requests to Dr. Gnann at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Division of Infectious Diseases, 845 S. 19th St., BBRB 220, Birmingham, AL 35294-2170.

Related Letters:

Herpes Zoster
Feder H. M. Jr., Crider E. F., Gnann J. W. Jr., Whitley R. J.
Extract | Full Text | PDF  
N Engl J Med 2003; 348:2044-2045, May 15, 2003. Correspondence

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