Why do shingles occur

Chickenpox can last 2 to 3 weeks, but what about shingles, its adult counterpart? Here's what you need to know. Shingles, sometimes called herpes zoster, is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Learn more here. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Shingles Recurrence: Facts, Statistics, and You. Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M. Shingles can also erupt on your: arms thighs head ear eye An estimated 1 million people in the United States have shingles every year.

You can also get shingles a second time. This is less common and known as shingles recurrence. What are the symptoms of shingles and recurring shingles? How often does shingles recur? What are the risk factors for recurring shingles? What is the treatment for shingles and recurring shingles?

What is the outlook for people with recurring shingles? Can you prevent recurring shingles? Read this next. Can Stress Trigger Shingles? What Is Internal Shingles? Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. Learn about the side effects of…. Shingles is a condition related to chickenpox. It mostly affects older adults. Learn the causes and how to avoid getting or spreading the virus that…. Shingles, sometimes called herpes zoster, is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus.

Learn more here. Shingles pain can last for a few days to up to a month or longer. We'll discuss why. Once reactivated, the virus spreads to your skin by traveling down your nerves. Where your rash appears depends on which nerve the virus travels. Learn to how to tell shingles vs.

Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Understanding What Causes Shingles to Activate. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. Shingles defined Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Shingles vaccines Outlook Bottom line If you contract the chickenpox virus, also known as varicella-zoster, your illness will typically clear up in a week or two.

What is shingles? Why do some people get shingles? What are the symptoms of shingles? How is shingles diagnosed? How is shingles treated? Is there a vaccine against shingles? What is the outlook for people with shingles?

The bottom line. Read this next. What Does Shingles Look Like? Medically reviewed by University of Illinois. We explain what each part of Medicare covers and how to choose the…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. Causes Symptoms Pictures Treatment Prevention When to seek medical help The bottom line Shingles forms a rash or a collection of blisters on your skin due to a viral infection.

Appearance and pictures. When to call a professional. The bottom line. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Shilpa Amin, M. Understanding What Causes Shingles to Activate. Medically reviewed by Femi Aremu, PharmD. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Shingles on the Face: Symptoms, Treatments, and More.

Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M. Is Shingles Contagious? When Does Shingles Pain Peak? Medically reviewed by Angelica Balingit, MD. Medically reviewed by Susan Bard, MD. Chickenpox can be dangerous for some groups of people. Until your shingles blisters scab over, you are contagious and should avoid physical contact with:. Prompt intervention can curtail the infection and possibly decrease your chances of complications," adds Dr. By Micah Dorfner.