Arvin A M
Stanford University School of Medicine, CA 94305, USA.
Semin Dermatol. 1996 Jun;15(2 Suppl 1):4-7.
Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a human pathogen that has probably infected humans since prehistoric times. Varicella-zoster virus causes chickenpox in childhood (varicella), and establishes latency in sensory ganglia after the primary infection. Varicella-zoster virus may reemerge later in life, taking advantage of the decline in immune function that occurs with aging. Varicella-zoster virus reactivation causes herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles. The incidence of herpes zoster increases with advancing age. Severe pain is the major cause of acute and chronic morbidity in patients with herpes zoster. Fortunately, the acute phase is self-limiting and transient. However, chronic and often debilitating pain may persist after the lesions have healed and is referred to as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the most common complication of herpes zoster. Similar to acute herpes zoster, the incidence of PHN increases dramatically with age.
水痘带状疱疹病毒（VZV）是一种人类病原体，可能自史前时代就已感染人类。水痘带状疱疹病毒在儿童期引起水痘，初次感染后在感觉神经节中建立潜伏状态。水痘带状疱疹病毒可能在生命后期重新出现，利用随着年龄增长而出现的免疫功能下降。水痘带状疱疹病毒的再激活会导致带状疱疹，通常称为缠腰龙。带状疱疹的发病率随着年龄的增长而增加。严重疼痛是带状疱疹患者急性和慢性发病的主要原因。幸运的是，急性期是自限性的且短暂的。然而，慢性且常常使人衰弱的疼痛可能在皮疹愈合后持续存在，被称为带状疱疹后神经痛（PHN），这是带状疱疹最常见的并发症。与急性带状疱疹相似，PHN的发病率也随着年龄的增长而急剧增加。
