Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is defined as a pain persisting for more than 3 months after the rash has healed. PHN is a persistent nerve pain that can occur due to the infection caused by shingles. Shingles is caused by the herpes varicella-zoster virus. Damage or alteration of the nerves that register pain, pressure, and other sensory nerves is the major contributing factor of this disease. The risk of postherpetic neuralgia increases with age, primarily affecting older people. The purpose of this article is to review the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations and various current treatment modalities of post herpetic neuralgia.
Key words: Herpes, post herpetic neuralgia, varicella zoster.