Browse categories and answer follow-up questions to refine your symptom profile.
Immediate threats and isolation
High risk complications triage
Ophthalmic involvement
Eye pain
Vision change
Vesicles on nose
Neurologic involvement
Altered mental status
New focal deficit
Meningismus
Disseminated infection
More than 20 lesions outside primary dermatome
Multiple noncontiguous dermatomes
Immunocompromised host
Transplant
Hematologic malignancy
High dose steroids
Infection control
Standard precautions
Cover lesions
Hand hygiene
Airborne plus contact precautions if disseminated or immunocompromised
Negative pressure room if available
N95 for staff
Time critical consultations and escalation
Escalation triggers
Immediate ophthalmology if suspected herpes zoster ophthalmicus
Eye symptoms
Hutchinson sign
Immediate neurology or infectious diseases if CNS involvement
Encephalitis concern
Myelitis concern
Admission pathway if severe pain or inability to tolerate oral therapy
Intractable pain
Persistent vomiting
Early treatment priorities
Antiviral timing
Best benefit within 72 hours of rash onset
Reduced new lesion formation
Shorter duration of acute pain
Consider beyond 72 hours if ongoing new lesions or high risk
Immunocompromised
Ophthalmic involvement
Neurologic complications
Analgesia first hour
Multimodal pain control
Acetaminophen
NSAID if appropriate
Neuropathic agent if moderate to severe pain
SymptomDx is an educational tool for medical professionals. It does not replace clinical judgment. Verify all clinical data and drug dosages with authoritative sources.