Clinical Overview of Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

CauseHerpes zoster (shingles) is caused by the reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes varicella (chickenpox).Primary infection with VZV causes varicella. After a person has varicella, the virus remains dormant in the dorsal root ganglia. VZV can reactivate later in a person's life and cause herpes zoster, a painful maculopapular, and then a vesicular rash.Keep Reading:Clinical Overview of Chickenpox (Varicella)Who is at riskPeople who had chickenpox can get shingles.‎Anyone infected with varicella can develop herpes zoster. About 99.5% of people born before 1980 in the United States have had the wild-type VZV. Children who receive varicella vaccine have a lower risk of herpes zoster when compared with children infected with wild-type VZV.About 1 in 3 people in the United States will develop herpes zoster during their lifetime. Most people have only one episode, but herpes zoster can recur.A person's risk for herpes zoster and related complications, inc...