Herpes Zoster in Older Adults: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Care Strategies

Along with bacterial pneumonia, influenza, urinary tract infection, and staphylococcal skin infections, herpes zoster (HZ) is a reactivation of a latent infection with varicella-zoster virus; it is a common disease in older adults. HZ is the result of a decline in immune status as one ages; the virus travels down sensory nerves to produce an itchy painful rash that can lead to debilitating chronic pain. Development of HZ and complications such as post herpetic neuralgia are preventable using a recombinant vaccine, although HZ is treatable by antivirals such as acyclovir given the virus is a member of the Herpesviridae family.