Shingles, also known as zoster or herpes zoster, is a painful skin rash caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Nearly 1 out of every 3 people in the United States will develop shingles. Anyone who has recovered from chickenpox may develop shingles; even children can get shingles. However, the risk of getting the disease increases as a person gets older. About half of all cases occur among men and women who are 60 years old or older... more
Shingles Topics
About Shingles
Describes the disease, its symptoms, how it’s spread, possible complications, treatment and prevention, photos of shingles...
Vaccination
General information about the shingles vaccine, vaccine safety, who should and should not be vaccinated, clinical information for healthcare professionals...
For Healthcare Professionals
Information for healthcare professional on clinical features, complications, risk factors, transmission, herpes zoster rates...
Laboratory Testing
Guidelines for collecting specimens for VZV testing, specimen collection form, instructions for shipping to CDC National VZV Laboratory...
Multimedia
Lists a feature story (article of interest to health consumers searching the internet), podcasts, and a web button related to shingles...
Signs & Symptoms
- Pain, itching, or tingling of the skin followed by a painful rash of blister-like sores, usually on one side of the body, often on the face or torso
- Fever
- Headache
- Chills
- Upset stomach
Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays in the body in a dormant (inactive) state. For reasons that are not fully known, the virus can reactivate years later, causing shingles. Herpes zoster is not caused by the same virus that causes genital herpes, a sexually transmitted disease.
Shingles Vaccination
Almost 1 out of 3 people in America will develop shingles during his or her lifetime. The only way to reduce the risk of developing shingles (herpes zoster) is to get vaccinated. Adults 60 years old or older can receive a single dose of the shingles vaccine.
Collecting Specimens for Varicella Zoster Virus Testing
Guidelines for collecting and shipping specimens, video of specimen collection
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