How does
an acute herpes zoster infection manifest itself?
The typical acute herpes zoster infection
starts with pain in the affected area, which is usually described as burning or
stabbing. During this time, the patient may have ’flu-like symptoms, such as
fever or malaise. A few days later, lesions erupt. The lesions most commonly
develop along one or more thoracic dermatomes, always unilateral and never
crossing over the midline. Lesions may appear in the oph-thalmic division of
the trigeminal nerve, the cervical der-matomes, or rarely the lumbar or sacral
dermatomes. These lesions are described as erythematous vesicles and pustules.
Over the course of about 4 weeks, the lesions crust over and heal, sometimes
causing scarring in the area. The lesions are accompanied by severe pain,
usually of a burning nature, although some patients also complain of achy,
itchy pain. The pain is worse when the area is touched.
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