Chicken Pox can Reappear as Shingles – Get the Facts

Format: Fact Sheet
Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

As you grow older, the chicken pox virus that lies dormant in nerve tissue, if you have been previously exposed, can reappear in the form of shingles. This is most common in people aged 50 years and older, and those with weakened immune systems from HIV infection, chemotherapy or radiation treatment, transplant operations, and stress. Shingles can cause severe pain that can linger for months. It can also lead to problems in your hearing and vision, including blindness. There is no cure for shingles, but antiviral drugs can help.

To learn more facts about shingles, go to the updated NIAID fact sheet called Facts About Shingles (Herpes Zoster).

Next Steps
You can read the updated fact sheet on shingles by visiting www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/shinglesFS.htm.