Can Occur Decades After Chickenpox
Shingles is a skin rash illness that occurs mostly in older adults. It usually is a reactivation of chickenpox and can occur decades after the initial infection (usually as a child). Chickenpox and shingles are both caused by infection with the varicella zoster virus.

Approximately one in three people will develop the zoster virus in their lifetime, resulting in one million cases annually in the United States. The VZV pathogen may lay dormant in the spinal nerve roots through a chickenpox infected individual’s life, only manifesting its presence through outbreaks as Shingles, or herpes zoster.

Quality of Life Impact
The main result of shingles is severe pain. Pain is described as aching, burning, stabbing, or shock-like. Altered sensitivity to touch, pain provoked by inadvertent touching, and unbearable itching are all frequently reported. The illness also causes insomnia, chronic fatigue, weight loss and anorexia. People with shingles have anxiety and difficulty concentrating. The rash usually lasts from seven to ten days with complete healing within 2-4 weeks. If the virus causes scars or skin discoloration, it could be permanent.

The CDC recommends that all persons aged 60 and older should get the vaccine. The vaccine was licensed in May 2006 and is called Zostavax. Zostavax is manufactured by Merck & Co. and administered by a physician. Vaccination isn’t permanent so ask

your physician how often you should be immunized.

Read more about Shingles from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, part of the CDC.gov.