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Herpes zoster clinical management guidelines

AHMF clinical guidelines provide diagnosis and management information for conditions caused by herpesviruses.

  • Managing herpes zoster
    Jan 1998
    May 2009

    Herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles, causes a painful rash which can have significant and long-standing consequences. Treating the rash quickly reduces its painfulness and duration and minimises the likelihood of debilitating sequelae.

  • Overview of varicella zoster virus
    May 2006

    Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a unique member of the Herpesviridae family, as it can infect both skin and nerves and develop latent infection within the dorsal root and trigeminal ganglia. Infection with this virus is common and causes a wide range of clinical syndromes. Although this virus infects healthy children and adults, disease is more severe and extensive in the immunocompromised.

  • Herpes zoster vaccination
    Apr 2008

    The recently-approved herpes zoster vaccine has been shown to significantly reduce both the incidence and the severity of herpes zoster (shingles) in older people. This guideline discusses the efficacy of and indications for vaccination.

Disclaimer

The AHMF have made considerable efforts to ensure the information upon which this guideline is based reproduces the evidence as accurately as possible. Users of this guideline are strongly recommended to confirm that the information contained within it, especially drug indications, is correct by way of independent sources, as this guideline does not indicate an exclusive course of action or serve as a standard of medical care. The AHMF accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies, information perceived as misleading, or success of any treatment regime detailed in this guideline.

Australian Herpes Management Forum, c/- STIRC, Marian Villa, Westmead Hospital, Westmead NSW 2145, Australia.

Telephone: +61 (2) 8230 3843 - Fax: +61 (2) 9845 6287

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