Shingles: What It Is and How to Prevent It

People who have had chickenpox as children may give little thought to the condition after the virus clears up and the itchy red bumps disappear. Unfortunately, the virus that causes chickenpox, called the varicella-zoster virus, can rear its ugly head later in life in the form of shingles, a painful blistery rash often accompanied by a slew of other symptoms such as stomach pain, fever, chills, headache, joint pain and more.

As with most health issues, education is key to prevention and early diagnosis. Here's what you need to know about shingles and how to avoid it.

How do you get it and who's at risk? Once chickenpox clears up, the varicella-zoster virus lies dormant in the nervous system. In many cases, it remains that way. However, in some individuals, the virus reactivates and finds its way through nerve pathways and to the skin, where it causes shingles, also known as herpes zoster. Scientists aren't quite clear why the virus reactivates, but research suggests that it has something to do with a vulnerable immune system.

Anyone who has had chickenpox can potentially develop shingles, but especially individuals who contracted the virus before age one. Those most at risk for shingles also include people older than 50 and those with weakened immune systems, whether it be due to disease or certain medications such as immunosuppressive drugs. Individuals who are on a chemotherapy regimen may also be susceptible to shingles. Most people only have one outbreak of shingles, but in rare cases it can recur.