is most commonly seen with a radiating or shooting pain in the face, arm, leg or around the torso? In order to make a definite diagnosis a rash must be observed in the area of the shooting pain. In a recent article from the American Academy of Neurology, it has been proven that many people with a typical pain syndome of shingle (herpes zoster) will have infection as proven by spinal fluid analysis with no rash. This syndrome is called zoster sine herpete. The bottom line for the doctor evaluating various radicular style pains is that herpes zoster should always be considered and a course of antiviral medicine such as acyclovir or valcyclovir may be useful.