Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays dormant (inactive) in the body. Sometimes, the virus reactivates and travels along nerve pathways to your skin, producing shingles. However, not everyone who has had chickenpox will develop shingles. The reason for shingles is unclear, but it may be due to lowered immunity to infections as people get older. Shingles is more common in older adults and in people who have weakened immune systems.
In summary, shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which stays dormant in the body after a person recovers from chickenpox. The primary risk factor for shingles is a weakened immune system, and it is more common in older adults.
