1. It causes a painful rash. Other rashes may itch or not but they do not hurt. This rash does hurt and often is very painful. This rash also occurs only on one side.
2. Pain often comes before the rash. I tend to treat, even without the rash, if I do not find a good explanation for the severe pain and the distribution of the pain is consistent.
3. It affects over one million people per year and therefore vaccination is recommended for those over the age of 60 or if immunocompromised patient.
4. It can cause blindness if there is eye involvement. If there is facial involvement in distribution of the first division of the trigeminal nerve. It can causes Corneal ulcers and conjunctivitis
5. It can also cause cranial nerve palsy. The rash can remain for a long time after the pain is gone. The pain can remain for extended periods as well.
6. Early treatment within 72 hours can be very helpful to shorten the course and avoid long term pain.
7. Vaccine offers only 51% risk reduction for occurrence of subsequent outbreak. So it can still occur despite the vaccine.
8. In terms of treatment, I find Valtrex and Famvir to be most effective.
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