Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffThe varicella-zoster vaccine (Zostavax) can help prevent shingles and subsequent postherpetic neuralgia in adults age 60 and older.
References
- Bajwa ZH, et al. Postherpetic neuralgia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 11, 2010.
- Sampathkumar P, et al. Herpes zoster (shingles) and postherpetic neuralgia. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2009;84:274.
- Treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00021-3--s0825&displayedEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00021-3--s0845&uniq=188689159&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&sid=966992901#lpState=opened&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00021-3--st0755%3Bfrom%3Dcontent%3Bisbn%3D978-0-7234-3541-9%3Btype%3DbookPage. Accessed March 12, 2010.
- Vora A, et al. Postherpetic neuralgia. In: Frontera WR, et al. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/188689159-4/966996765/1678/116.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4007-1..50103-6_1654. Accessed March 12, 2010.
- Martin DM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 22, 2010.
- Practice parameter: Treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. St. Paul, Minn.: Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. http://www.guidelines.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=5989&nbr=003947&string=postherpetic. Accessed March 12, 2010.

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