is the cause for shingles?
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Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you've had chickenpox, the virus lies inactive in nerve tissue near your spinal cord and brain. Years later, the virus may reactivate as shingles.
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If you suspect you have shingles, it's important to go to the doctor as soon as possible. If you have shingles, your doctor can give you an antiviral medication that lessens the pain and duration of it. If you're over 50, get vaccinated. Zoster vaccine (Shingrix) can decrease your risk of shingles but not prevent it.
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The virus that causes shingles, varicella zoster virus (VZV) can spread from a person with active shingles and cause chickenpox in someone who had never had chickenpox or received chickenpox vaccine. VZV spreads through direct contact with fluid from the rash blisters.
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['Health Conditions. You are more likely to get shingles if you have a weak immune system. ... ', 'Medications and Procedures. Certain procedures and medicines may raise your risk, such as: ... ', 'Age. People over age 60 are at higher risk.', 'Ethnic Background. White people are at higher risk than Black people. ... ', 'References. Herpes zoster.']
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Herpes Simplex Is Mistaken for the Shingles Rash Either type of herpes remains dormant in the body and can cause future outbreaks. The blisters caused by herpes simplex could be mistaken for those caused by the shingles virus, but herpes sores are usually localized around the mouth or genitals.
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Pain is usually the first symptom of shingles. For some, it can be intense. Depending on the location of the pain, it can sometimes be mistaken for a symptom of problems affecting the heart, lungs or kidneys. Some people experience shingles pain without ever developing the rash.
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Shingles causes open, oozing blisters, and the varicella-zoster virus can spread through contact with unscabbed shingles blisters. If you haven't had chickenpox, you can get the varicella-zoster virus from contact with someone else's oozing shingles blisters. This could lead to chickenpox.
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Postherpetic neuralgia (post-hur-PET-ik noo-RAL-juh) is the most common complication of shingles. The condition affects nerve fibers and skin, causing burning pain that lasts long after the rash and blisters of shingles disappear. The chickenpox (herpes zoster) virus causes shingles.
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Most people who have had chickenpox will be immune to the disease for the rest of their lives. However, the virus remains inactive in nerve tissue and may reactivate later in life causing shingles. Very rarely, a second case of chickenpox does happen.
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Shingles can form a blistering, itchy, painful rash anywhere on the body, but can be particularly excruciating and challenging if it spreads to the scalp. Shingles blisters can leave you with a sensitive scalp and make grooming very difficult.
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Anyone who has had chickenpox in the past can develop shingles; even children can get shingles.
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Swelling. In very rare cases, shingles can lead to inflammation or swelling in your lungs, brain, liver, or death. You should get regular care for shingles so your doctor can check for even these uncommon kinds of problems.
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Early signs of shingles include tingling and localized pain. Most, but not all, people with shingles develop a blistering rash. You may also experience itching, burning, or deep pain. Typically, the shingles rash lasts two to four weeks, and most people make a complete recovery.
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The older you are when you have shingles, the more likely it is that you will have postherpetic neuralgia. The main symptom is pain in the area where you had the shingles rash. The pain may be stabbing, aching, or burning. It may come and go or it may be constant for months or even years.
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Shingles usually occurs from inside your own body when the chickenpox virus reactivates. If you have not had chickenpox, you can't get shingles. If you have not had chickenpox, you can be infected with chickenpox from someone who has shingles. This happens if you come in contact with the fluid from shingles blisters.
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The shingles rash often develops in a pattern along the nerves of the chest and belly. A rash due to allergies or eczema may develop anywhere, including the legs and the arms. The shingles rash also tends to clear up in a few weeks. Rashes due to eczema and psoriasis may last longer.
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You can only get shingles if you've already had chickenpox. Shingles can develop in anyone who has had chickenpox. If you haven't had chickenpox but are exposed to someone with chickenpox or shingles, regardless of your age, you will develop chickenpox first.