What is Herpes Zoster (Shingles)?

Anyone who has had chicken pox has the potential to develop shingles. In fact, 1 in every 5 people will experience at least one episode of shingles.

After a case of chicken pox, the virus remains in a dormant stage (hibernation). Years later, it may awaken and travel down the nerve and produce grouped blisters in a linear pattern corresponding to the nerve that supplies that area of skin. The most common location is on the trunk, but it can occur anywhere.

If the rash develops around the eye, blindness can occur as well. Shingles only affects those already previously infected with VZV, but adults and those with a weakened immune system are at risk the most.

What does Herpes Zoster (Shingles) look like?