PHN

Prevention of PHN
• Vaccination given during the childhood period decreases the
incidence of chickenpox, subsequent HZ reactivation, and acute
herpes zoster (AHZ) infection, therefore, accounts for the reduction of
PHN.
• Varicella zoster vaccine (Zostavax)
PROGNOSIS
• The incidence of herpes zoster in those receiving the vaccine
decreased by 96%
• The Shingles Prevention Study found the live VZV vaccine to be 67%
effective in preventing postherpetic neuralgia by decreasing the
incidence of herpes zoster by 51%
• The protective effects of the vaccine last an average of at least three
years, and inferred data indicate that it prevents herpes zoster for five
years in patients 60 years and older.
• Patients who are vaccinated and then develop herpes zoster have
decreased duration and severity of symptoms