There are different types of herpes viruses. An outbreak of acute herpes
zoster virus can appear on your back (other common places are your chest
wall or face). This is a herpes virus that is similar but not identical to
the genital herpes virus. One of the dangers of herpes zoster, however, is
that it could develop into a neuropathic (i.e. nerve) pain condition called
postherpetic neuralgia. This is a chronic and very painful condition. The
best predictor of whether or not someone develops postherpetic neuralgia is
the intensity of pain during the acute herpes zoster rash. So, if this
person you are referring to has a herpes zoster outbreak and severe pain
associated with it, I would advice him/her to get immediate medical
attention for pain relief. The best medications for this would be
Famcyclovir (antiviral), nortriptyline (antidepressant that is also an
adjunctive analgesic particularly effective with neuropathic pain), and
possibly Percoset or some other stronger opioid analgesic. One other
possible problem...most primary care physicians are not familiar with this
type of treatment regimen for acute herpes zoster and they might not be
willing to prescribe these medications (hence the need for specialty pain
clinics, who unfortunately see these patients after they have already
developed PHN).
That's my 4 cents and probably more than you need to know...
Rod
________________________________________
Roderick D. Hetzel, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and Attending Psychologist
Department of Anesthesiology
University of Rochester Medical Center
Pain and Symptom Treatment Center
2337 Clinton Avenue South
Rochester, New York 14618
716-275-3524 (phone)
716-473-5007 (fax)
716-220-2834 (pager)
[EMAIL PROTECTED] (email)
-----Original Message-----
From: Weisskirch, Rob [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Thursday, November 04, 1999 1:23 PM
To: 'TIPS'
Subject: Student questions d'jour
Today, I had some very interesting student questions in class:
1. One student claimed that she heard the cochlea (yes, in the ear) was
larger and more "man-like" in lesbian women. She admitted that this had
nothing to do with sexual behavior but that she had heard this. Anyone
heard of this one?
2. Any evidence of why there appears to be more homosexuals in the arts? A
musical theater student claims that 75% of the men in that major are gay. I
could not come up with a good psychological rationale.
3. Does anyone know if during a herpes outbreak, can you have blisters on
your body far away from the oral/genital areas (like your back)?
All this and more in 1hour and 15 minutes.
Rob Weisskirch
Department of Child and Adolescent Studies
California State University, Fullerton
P.O. Box 6868
Fullerton, CA 92834-6868
(714) 278-2896
