OBJECTIVES: To describe the current Belgian management and resource use associated with HZ and PHN in patients aged greaer or equal to 50 years in order to estimate the associated cost (societal perspective) in this population. METHODS: Three parallel Expert Surveys were performed: 1 focussed on acute phase (HZ, first month, diagnosis before and after 72 hours after appearance of rash) in a sample of dermatologists/ophthalmologist (N=7), 1 focussed on chronic phase (PHN, 1 and 3-month definition: pain occurring or persisting at least 1month/3months after rash onset) in a sample of neurologists/pain-specialists (N=8), and 1 combined both phases (GPs, N=4). Management was described in terms of pain severity (no, mild, moderate and severe pain). Questions were related to current medical practice (medication, non-pharmacological treatment, tests, consultations, hospitalisation and work absenteeism). Costs were calculated by multiplying average resource use obtained from the Expert Survey with specific unit costs (official tariffs). RESULTS: Total cost of management of HZ ranged between €100 (no pain) and €975 (severe pain) if diagnosis of HZ was made within 72 hours after appearance of rash. If diagnosis was made after 72 hours after appearance of rash, figures were somewhat lower (between €68 and €872 for no and severe pain respectively). In all pain categories, important cost drivers were costs for oral medication and consultations. In severe pain patients, most important cost factors were costs related to hospitalization (€310) and work absenteeism (€263). For PHN, 1-month definition, total management’s cost ranged between €133 (mild pain) and €920 (severe pain). For PHN, 3-month definition, this cost was higher and ranged between €279 (mild pain) and €1727 (severe pain). Important cost drivers were comparable to those in HZ. CONCLUSIONS: HZ and PHN cause an economic burden. Management cost can rise to €975 for severe pain in HZ, and to €1727 in PHN.