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Gériatrie et Psychologie Neuropsychiatrie du Vieillissement

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Herpes zoster: the associated burden and its prevention Volume 9, issue 4, Décembre 2011

Author
Département de médecine interne, réhabilitation et gériatrie, Hôpitaux universitaires et Faculté de médecine de Genève, Suisse

The burden of illness and healthcare resource utilisation associated with herpes zoster in individuals aged 60 years or above is substantial, causing severe loss of quality of life. In the absence of antiviral therapy, up to 45% of over 60 year-olds experience pain which persists for months to years. The importance of preventive strategies for PHN is becoming widely recognised. The aim of the present review is not only to present the herpes zoster-associated burden, but also to detail the effectiveness of the preventive approaches currently available.