The article focuses on various aspects of herpes zoster and its complications. It covers historical facts, data on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical variants of the infectious process, and modern pathomorphism of the disease. Particular attention is paid to the approaches to rational therapy of the acute-phase of Varicella zoster virus reactivation and possible approaches to the treatment of dermatological manifestations, depending on the clinical symptoms. Complications of herpes zoster in the form of postherpetic neuralgia were discussed as a separate issue. We analyzed international and Russian publications and proposed a modern approach to the rehabilitation of patients suffering from postherpetic neuralgia, which is approved by the international guidelines.