Shingles: Dormant Virus That Emerges After Decades—Here are the Causes
If you’ve ever had chickenpox, you’re in good company—about 98 percent of adults in the United States share this experience. However, what many people don’t realize is that the virus responsible for chickenpox never truly leaves the body. Instead, it stays dormant in the nervous system, and for roughly 1 in 3 people, it can reactivate later in life as shingles. Shingles, medically known as herpes zoster, affects more than 1 million people in America each year. Cases have increased more than fourfold over the past 60 years. Anyone who has had chickenpox can later develop shingles, but the risk increases with age as the immune system naturally weakens. Recognizing the early signs and understanding different lifestyle choices can help you better manage the disease. What Are the Symptoms and Early Signs of Shingles? Shingles rarely appears without warning. Days before the telltale rash shows up, your body often sends signals such as: Pain, tingling, or itching on one side of the body Head...