Medical Term for Shingles Nerve Pain
The medical term for nerve pain caused by shingles is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), defined as neuropathic pain that persists for 3 months or more after the herpes zoster (shingles) rash has healed. 1, 2, 3
Clinical Definition and Characteristics
PHN is specifically defined as nerve pain persisting 3 months or longer after the shingles rash has resolved, distinguishing it from acute herpes zoster pain that occurs during the active infection 1, 3
Patients typically describe two distinct pain patterns: a constant deep, aching, or "cold burning pain" in the affected dermatome, and intermittent lancinating (shooting) pain often triggered by light touch 1, 3
The condition results from damage to peripheral nerves and dorsal root ganglia caused by varicella zoster virus reactivation, leading to persistent inflammation and nerve injury 4, 2
Epidemiology and Risk Factors
Approximately 10-15% of HIV-infected patients develop PHN as a complication following herpes zoster, with higher rates in immunocompromised populations 5
Advanced age is the most common risk factor for both shingles and subsequent PHN development 2, 6
PHN can be particularly incapacitating in immunocompromised patients, including those with advanced HIV disease, who face higher rates of both herpes zoster and subsequent PHN 1
Clinical Presentation
More than 90% of PHN patients experience allodynia (pain from normally non-painful stimuli) with clinically evident sensory deficits for temperature and/or pinprick sensation 7
Patients may also experience hyperalgesia (painful stimuli are more painful than expected) in addition to constant and paroxysmal pain patterns 3