Herpes zoster (shingles) is a viral infection, caused by the Varicella zoster virus. It is commonly called shingles. According to a study, 90% of patients with Herpes zoster had chickenpox a few years back.

In children and young adults, the incidence rate is 2-4 per thousand. In adult age, the prevalence is 8 – 10/ thousand.

Varicella-zoster virus causes the acute illness chickenpox. Even after chickenpox is resolved the virus is not eliminated. It can go on to cause Herpes zoster. This virus is located in nerve cells. It may remain silent for years together. When it gets activated, the symptoms appear along the course of nerves.

Herpes zoster is characterized by painful eruptions (yellowish fluid-filled) in a linear shape over a limited area of the body like the face, eyes, genitals, and other body parts. The eruptions can be reddish-brown in color. The pain may be mild or unbearable and is related to a nerve in which the virus is located. The eruptions may subside in 3-6 weeks but the pain may remain the same.

The same presentation of the Herpes eruption can also be noted on genitals in males and females also. This eruption may last for 2-3 weeks or longer. The local lymph nodes may get swollen. There can be a recurrent relapse.

Herpes Zoster is known to leave behind a painful condition called Post-herpetic Neuralgia in many patients.