Postherpetic neuralgia is a complication of which viral condition?

• A. Herpes zoster
• B. Varicella
• C. Herpes simplex
• D. Cytomegalovirus

Answer: (A)

Postherpetic neuralgia occurs after shingles, which is caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus in the sensory nerves. After initial varicella (chickenpox), the virus can lie dormant in dorsal root ganglia and later reactivate as herpes zoster (shingles). The inflammation and nerve damage from this reactivation can lead to persistent nerve pain even after the rash heals, which is what postherpetic neuralgia is. Varicella itself is the primary infection, not the complication; herpes simplex and cytomegalovirus cause different diseases and are not associated with this nerve pain syndrome.