Intercostal nerve pain caused by herpes zoster can be recovered within three months in most patients if treated early on through aggressive treatment, but in some other patients the pain can last for more than three months or even more than a year, a phenomenon known as postherpetic neuralgia. Signs and symptoms of postherpetic neuralgia are usually confined to the area of the skin where shingles first develops, most commonly in the peri-trunk zonal area, essentially on one side of the body. It presents as a persistent burning or deep-seated pain, throbbing, cutting or paroxysmal pain, and in some patients, unbearable itching. When suffering from shingles, the following factors indicate a high risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia: age over 50, severe rash and pain, chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, and delayed antiviral treatment for shingles for more than 72 hours. Patients are advised to seek prompt medical attention and standardized treatment under the guidance of a doctor to avoid delays.