Herpes zoster (shingles)

Signs and symptoms

Grouped blisters in one patch; intense pain / burning; +/- fever; +/- body pains; lesions do not usually cross the body’s mid-line

Treatment

If face affected (ophthalmic division of the 5th cranial nerve):

Refer to eye specialist Monitor for secondary bacterial infection Analgesic Ladder Rigorous pain control Acyclovir tablets Must be started before blisters burst Adult: 800mg 5 times per day for 7 – 10 days Child: 20 mg/kg 8-hourly for 7 – 10 days Treat longer if the lesions heal slowly