Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, several case reports have been published describing Herpes Zoster (HZ) cases in COVID-19 patients.
As a SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection can result in T-cell immune dysfunction, it was hypothesized that this could trigger latent HZ reactivation.
A recent peer-reviewed study was the first large, retrospective cohort study designed to investigate the hypothesis that COVID-19 could increase the risk of HZ.
Herpes Zoster Risk Increased by 15% Following COVID-19
COVID-19 Pneumonia Hospitalization Tied to New-Onset Dementia
Rate significantly higher than seen with other pneumonias
Almost 30 Percent of COVID-19 Patients Develop ‘Long COVID’
Factors independently associated with PASC include hospitalization for COVID-19, having diabetes, and higher BMI