What is a common complication of herpes zoster (shingles)?

Postherpetic neuralgia is a common complication of herpes zoster, also known as shingles. This condition occurs when nerve fibers are damaged during the initial shingles infection, leading to persistent pain in the affected area even after the rash has healed. Patients may experience this pain as a burning, stabbing, or aching sensation, which can last for weeks, months, or even years following the resolution of the shingles outbreak.

This complication arises because herpes zoster affects the sensory nerves, and the damage to these nerves can disrupt the normal transmission of pain signals. As a result, individuals who have experienced shingles are at risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia, which can significantly impact their quality of life.

Conditions like asthma, diabetes, and chronic cough do not have a direct correlation with herpes zoster. Hence, they are not recognized as common complications associated with the shingles virus.