Definition
Herpes zoster (shingles) is a painful, blistering skin rash due to acute infection with the varicella-zoster virus, the virus that causes chickenpox.
See also: Ramsay Hunt syndrome
Alternative Names
Shingles
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
After you get chickenpox, the virus falls asleep (becomes dormant) in certain nerves in the body. Shingles occurs after the virus becomes reactive in these nerves after many years.
The reason the virus suddenly become active again is not clear. Often only one attack occurs.
If an adult or child is exposed to the herpes zoster virus and has not had chickenpox as a child or received the chickenpox vaccine, a severe case of chickenpox may develop, rather than shingles.
Herpes zoster can be contagious through direct contact in an individual who has not had chickenpox, and therefore has no immunity. Herpes zoster may affect any age group, but it is much more common in adults over 60 years old, in children who had chickenpox before the age of one year, and in individuals whose immune system is weakened.
Symptoms
The first symptom is usually one-sided pain, tingling, or burning. The pain and burning may be severe.
Red patches on the skin form, followed by small blisters that look very similar to early chickenpox. The blisters break, forming small ulcers that begin to dry and form crusts. The crusts fall off in 2 to 3 weeks.
The rash usually involves a narrow area from the spine around to the front of the belly area or chest. It may involve face, eyes, mouth, and ears.
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