Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which is the exact same virus that causes chickenpox. After your initial infection, the virus can remain completely dormant in your nerve tissue for years before suddenly becoming active again.
The condition most commonly affects older adults, but younger people can also develop it. This is especially true if their immune system is weakened by high stress, temporary illness, or other medical conditions.
Early symptoms are often subtle, including burning, tingling, pain, or heightened skin sensitivity. These signs often appear before any rash is visible, which means they are sometimes mistaken for other minor health issues.
When the rash finally appears, it typically develops on just one side of the body along a specific nerve pathway. Early treatment with antiviral medication—ideally within 72 hours—can drastically help reduce the severity and long-term complications.
