What is one of the symptoms of herpes zoster?

Herpes zoster, also known as shingles, is characterized primarily by a painful rash that follows the distribution of a dermatome, which is an area of skin that is mainly supplied by a single spinal nerve root. This rash usually appears on one side of the body and is preceded or accompanied by significant pain, often described as burning or tingling. The rash commonly consists of vesicular lesions that eventually crust over.

The presence of the rash along a specific dermatome is a key diagnostic feature for herpes zoster, distinguishing it from other conditions that may cause rashes or pain. The pain associated with the condition is often quite intense, sometimes even persisting after the rash has resolved, a phenomenon known as postherpetic neuralgia.

The other symptoms listed, while they may occur in various contexts, are not classic indicators of herpes zoster. High fever may occur in some infections, but it is not a definitive symptom of herpes zoster. Fluid-filled blisters can appear with herpes lesions, but they are more commonly recognized as being localized rather than specifically on the hands and are part of the rash that aligns with the dermatome. Severe headaches are not typically associated with herpes zoster unless there are complications or other coexisting issues, which