Which statement about herpes zoster is NOT true?

The statement regarding herpes zoster that describes the typical lesions as bullae is not true. In herpes zoster, also known as shingles, the lesions typically present as vesicular eruptions that eventually crust over, rather than developing into bullae. The vesicles appear after an initial prodromal phase characterized by pain, burning, or tingling along the affected dermatome.

Bullae, which are larger fluid-filled blisters, are more characteristic of other dermatological conditions and do not reflect the classic presentation of herpes zoster.

The other statements accurately describe herpes zoster. It is indeed caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which remains dormant in the sensory root ganglia after an individual has had chickenpox. Patients who are immunocompromised often experience a more severe form of the disease due to their reduced ability to mount an effective immune response. Additionally, infection of the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve can lead to serious ocular complications, including corneal blindness, underscoring the potential severity and complications associated with this viral infection.