Herpes Zoster

• Occurs more frequently in hIV infected patients & carries poor prognosis
• THe occurance of unilateral vesicles that break & scab is charecteristic of this infection.
• They are self limiting
• Main complication is neuropathy after inflammation
• Diagnosis is made by cytological smear & finding of multinucleated giant cells.
• Treatment - Systemic acyclovir 800 mg orally or 15-30 mg/kg/day IV 8 hrly for 10-15 days