Masui. The Japanese journal of anesthesiology
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Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes two clinically distinct diseases: varicella and herpes zoster. Herpes zoster, recurrent infection of VZV occurs when the cell-mediated immunity to VZV declines. Since the cell-medicated immunity to VZV declines with aging, herpes zoster occurs more frequently in the elderly. ⋯ They rather aggravate PHN with time. Recent research with a live attenuated varicella vaccine to prevent herpes zoster indicated that the vaccine decreased the occurrence of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia by almost half as compared with placebo. Vaccination of high risk subjects with the varicella vaccine seems to be the most effective measure for the prevention of postherpetic neuralgia.
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We report the history and current issues of anesthesia in Korea. Korean medical doctors have to take 1-year internship and 4-year residency to be qualified to take the national examination for a board-certified anesthesiologist. ⋯ The Korean government adopted nurse-anesthetists in 1973 because of shortage of board-certified anesthesiologists. The Korean Society of Anesthesiologists is now demanding its amendment.