Lilie H M, Wassilew S W
Dermatologische Klinik, Klinikum Krefeld, Lutherplatz 40, 47805 Krefeld, Germany.
Hautarzt. 2004 Sep;55(9):831-40. doi: 10.1007/s00105-004-0789-1.
The primary infection with varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is manifest clinically as varicella. It is a common very contagious disease, normally appearing in childhood. VZV is a ubiquitous virus with a high prevalence. Clinically it is characterized by pleomorphic skin lesions. Normally antiviral therapy is necessary only in severe cases, in adults or in immunosuppressed patients. Herpes zoster, also caused by (VZV), is a neurodermal disease representing the endogenous relapse of the primary varicella infection. Herpes zoster is characterized by lesions concentrated in the innervation region of a cranial or spinal nerve. One of the most feared manifestations of herpes zoster is pain. Several antiviral drugs are approved and many studies have shown that antiviral therapy, started early in the course of disease, can significantly reduce risk and duration of postherpetic neuralgia in elderly patients. Therefore, antiviral therapy in combination with an adequate pain management should be given to all elderly patients as soon as herpes zoster is diagnosed.
水痘带状疱疹病毒（VZV）的原发性感染在临床上表现为水痘。它是一种常见的极具传染性的疾病，通常出现在儿童时期。VZV是一种普遍存在且患病率很高的病毒。临床上其特征为多形性皮肤损害。通常仅在严重病例、成人或免疫抑制患者中需要进行抗病毒治疗。带状疱疹同样由VZV引起，是一种神经皮肤疾病，代表原发性水痘感染的内源性复发。带状疱疹的特征是病变集中在颅神经或脊神经的神经支配区域。带状疱疹最令人担忧的表现之一是疼痛。多种抗病毒药物已获批准，许多研究表明，在疾病过程早期开始抗病毒治疗，可显著降低老年患者带状疱疹后神经痛的风险和持续时间。因此，一旦诊断出带状疱疹，就应给予所有老年患者抗病毒治疗并结合适当的疼痛管理。
