Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, called varicella. Shingles occurs in those who have had chicken pox in the past. Rarely those who had the chicken pox vaccine will develop shingles.

The virus attacks your spinal nerve (electrical wire in your body), producing inflammation which subsequently causes severe pain and rash along the course and path of the said nerve. Shingles most often presents on either the right or left side or It is very common among the elderly and individuals whose immune system has been weakened by environmental and health factors, such as stress, injury, and side effects of some drugs.

Shingles is more common among the females than in males, and it could happen anytime.  However, it is most common in the middle of, or later in, your life. It usually happens in the spring or fall.

Cause of Shingles

It has been determined that the virus causing chickenpox is the same as the one causing shingles and it is known as the varicella-zoster virus. After you contracted chickenpox and then got well, a small amount of the hibernates in your tissues—specifically in your nerve roots. When your resistance weakens due to older age, stress, or sickness the virus becomes active again and causes infection on one of your spinal nerves. It is clear and logical therefore to think that shingles is the result of the re-activation of the virus that caused your chickenpox several years ago.

Spreading of Shingles

Shingles develops in those who had chickenpox in childhood. If you were vaccinated with chickenpox vaccine you are at much lower risk of developing shingles.

Shingles can be spread by direct contact with the blisters of someone with shingles by someone who has had chicken pox in childhood. Once the blisters are scabbed over they are no longer contagious. To avoid the spread of shingles, you need to cover the exposed blisters with dressing that readily absorbs the fluid and not share bedding and towels with others.