Shingles is referred to as an infection of nerve and the area of skin around it. It is primarily caused by the herpes varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. Shingles generally affects a particular area on either the left or right side of the body and does not cross over the midline of the body (an imaginary line running from between your eyes, down past the belly button). It causes a painful rash which develops into itchy blisters.
Most common symptoms of shingles are:
In some cases, after chickenpox, the virus remains inactive in certain nerves of the body. Shingles occurs after the virus becomes active again in later years. Shingles may develop in any age group, but you are more likely to develop the condition if:
At first, your doctor may prescribe a medicine to counter the virus. This drug helps reduce pain, prevents complications, and shortens the course of the disease.
