Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a complication of a shingles infection that causes persistent pain where you had a rash and blisters. Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a painful, chronic condition that can occur following shingles, a viral infection that causes a mildly itchy to intensely painful rash. PHN occurs most often in...

Understanding the Context

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is neuropathic pain that occurs due to damage to a peripheral nerve caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (herpes zoster, also known as shingles). Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a condition characterized by focal nerve pain that occurs or persists ≥90 days after the onset of an episode of acute herpes zoster virus reactivation (shingles). A PHN nurse’s primary mission is to promote wellness in populations. They achieve this by identifying health risk factors, studying the social and environmental determinants of health, raising public awareness of health issues and prioritizing preventive wellness.

Key Insights

PHNs serve as both educators and advocates for the public good. Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is caused by damage that occurs to the peripheral nerve fibers during a shingles infection. On average, one out of every five patients with shingles develops PHN. Dealing with a case of shingles is painful enough. But once the skin rash resolves, a chronic pain syndrome called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) can sometimes develop.

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