About Shingles – Herpes Zoster

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV). It appears as a painful, itchy skin rash. The initial infection with VZV causes chickenpox, a highly contagious disease that most people contract during childhood. Chickenpox may be transmitted through direct contact with an infected individual or through airborne droplets. The chickenpox rash normally lasts from 10 to 21 days. Take your child to the doctor immediately if you suspect chickenpox.

Once the chickenpox outbreak clears up, the VZV herpes virus remains in the nervous system. In some individuals, VZV will cause shingles decades later. Shingles is most common among individuals over the age of 50 who have compromised immune systems.

Shingles often appears on one side of the body in a stripe-like formation. Shingles is contagious through direct contact with active blisters; however, it is not contagious before blisters appear or after they subside. While most outbreaks of shingles clear up in two to four weeks, approximately 20% of affected individuals will experience residual nerve pain known as post-herpetic neuralgia.