Pain following herpes zoster: implications for management.

At the 11th Annual Meeting of the International Herpes Management Forum (IHMF), held 27-29 February 2004, I delivered the Martin Wood Memorial Lecture on the management of herpes zoster-associated pain. Prevention of post-herpetic neuralgia is an important goal in the management of herpes zoster. Recognition of individuals at high risk of progression, followed by prompt intervention with antiviral agents, helps to reduce the disability, distress and healthcare resource utilization caused by this disease and its consequences. In established cases of post-herpetic neuralgia, first line therapy with tricyclic antidepressants and second line therapy with some anticonvulsants and opioids have both shown efficacy in many patients, but development of more effective treatments is needed for optimal outcomes.