Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful rash caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in the nervous system and can reactivate later in life, leading to shingles. Shingles often begins with burning, tingling, or itching on one side of the body, followed by a rash that develops into fluid-filled blisters. The rash typically appears in a band-like pattern along a nerve pathway. Other symptoms may include fever, headache, fatigue, and sensitivity to light. Who is at Risk? Anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk for shingles, but it is more common in: • Adults 50 years and older • Individuals with weakened immune systems (due to conditions like cancer, HIV, or certain medications) • People under high stress or with a history of chronic illnesses The Shingles Vaccine The Shingrix vaccine […]
