It is an infection that affects the cutaneous-mucosal surfaces, the central nervous system and, occasionally, the eye.

Treatment: a) Oral antivirals (e.g., acyclovir, Famciclovir, valacyclovir) b) topical corticosteroids. Patients with uveitis or keratitis require topical corticosteroids (e.g., 1% prednisolone acetate instilled hourly for uveitis or 4 times a day for keratitis initially, lengthening the intervals as symptoms improve). The pupil should be dilated with 1% atropine every 8 hours. Intraocular pressure should be controlled and treated if it rises significantly above normal values. The use of a short series or mega-dose of oral corticosteroids to prevent postherpetic neuralgia in patients over 60 years of age, in good general condition, is controversial.