TABLE 1

Complications of herpes zoster

Complications	Comment
Postherpetic neuralgia	Most common complication of herpes zoster Manifests as persistent pain beyond 90 days of rash
Herpes zoster ophthalmicus	Vision-threatening complication from involvement of ophthalmic division of cranial nerve V High risk of vision loss if antiviral therapy is not promptly initiated
Acute retinal necrosis	Necrotic infection of the retina that often leads to profound vision loss Caused by herpes viruses, most often by herpes zoster or varicella
Ramsay Hunt syndrome (herpes zoster oticus)	Major otologic complication of herpes zoster from viral reactivation within the geniculate ganglion, with potential spread to cranial nerves V, VII, VIII, IX, and X Often manifests as the triad of facial palsy, ear pain, and otic vesicular lesions
Miscellaneous neurologic complications	Stroke syndromes, motor neuropathy, myelitis, encephalitis, central nervous system vasculitis
Disseminated infection	Disseminated varicella infection with potential for visceral target organ involvement with possible widespread cutaneous involvement