Postherpetic Neuralgia is a condition characterized by persistent nerve pain that occurs after a shingles infection. Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. Once a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus can remain dormant in the nerve tissue near the spinal cord and reactivate later in life, leading to shingles.
Postherpetic Neuralgia is a common complication of shingles, affecting a significant number of individuals who have had the infection. The condition typically arises when the nerve fibers damaged by the shingles outbreak continue to send pain signals to the brain even after the rash and other symptoms have resolved.
There are several synonyms used to describe Postherpetic Neuralgia:
It is important to note that while these terms are used interchangeably, they all refer to the same condition: the persistent nerve pain that occurs after a shingles infection. Postherpetic Neuralgia can be debilitating and significantly impact an individual's quality of life, often requiring medical intervention and pain management strategies.