Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. It’s caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you’ve had chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in your nerve tissues. Years later, the virus may reactivate as shingles.

Here’s a detailed explanation about Shingles:

• Causes
  • Varicella-zoster virus (VZV)
• Symptoms
  • Burning pain, tingling, or numbness (even before the rash appears)
  • Blistering rash that develops on one side of the face or body, following a stripe
  • Fever, fatigue, headache
• Complications
  • Postherpetic neuralgia (long-lasting nerve pain)
  • Vision loss (if the rash affects the eye)
  • Skin infections (from scratching the rash)
  • Ramsay Hunt syndrome (facial paralysis and hearing loss)
• Prevention
  • Shingrix vaccine (recommended for adults 50 and older)
• Treatment
  • Antiviral medications (to shorten the illness and lessen the severity of symptoms)
  • Pain relievers
  • Calamine lotion or cool compresses (to relieve itching)
    
    

    Anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles. But your risk increases as you age, especially after 50. Other factors that increase your risk include:

    • A weakened immune system from illness, medications, or medical treatments
    • Certain medical conditions, such as cancer or HIV/AIDS
    • Stress

    If you think you might have shingles, see your doctor right away. Early treatment can help shorten the illness and lessen the severity of your symptoms. There is no cure for shingles, but there are vaccines that can help prevent it.