A Clinico-epidemiologic Profile of Herpeszoster in Norht India

Abstract

A clinico-epidemiological study of 230 cases of herpes zoster revealed an overallincidence of 0.6 percent. Out of 230 patients 160 were males and 70 females (male and female ratio being 2.2:1). The maximum incidence was noted in the second and third decades. A higher incidence was observed in the months of March, April, May and then in August, September and October. A confirmative history of chicken poxin the past was available in 34 (14.7%) patients only. There was no appreciable difference between right and left side involvement, except for the cranial segments, where the right side was predominantly involved. Thoracic segments were most commonly (55.2%) involved followed by cervical (19.5%), lumbo-sacral (13.9%) , and cranial (11.3%) segments. Prodromal symptoms were recorded in 20% patients. Among the cranial nerves, ophthalmic branch of trigeminal nerve was most commonly (57.7%) affected. Post herpetic neuralgia was noticed in 14.3% patients.