Shingles, or herpes zoster, is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that cause chickenpox. If you’ve had chickenpox before, you’re at a risk of getting shingles.
Varicella-zoster is part of a group of viruses called herpes viruses, which includes the viruses that cause cold sores and genital herpes. Because of this, shingles is also known as herpes zoster. But the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles is not the same virus responsible for cold sores or genital herpes, a sexually transmitted infection.
After chickenpox heals, the virus moves from your skin into nerves along your spinal cord. The virus can stay there, inactive and hidden, for many years without causing any symptoms. But, if your immune system is weakened by triggers like illness or stress, the virus can become active again.
Once it’s active, the virus spreads and moves along a path of nerves from your spinal cord to your skin’s surface. This can be very painful. When the virus reaches your skin, it forms a blistery, painful rash.
The shingles vaccine (Zostavax) is recommended for adults age 60 and older, whether they’ve already had shingles or not. Although the vaccine is approved for people age 50 and older, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention isn’t recommending it until you reach age 60.
For more information on shingles, call Dr. Dennis Petersen at (951) 506-3112.
