Shingles Disease: Causes, Symptoms and Prevention

Category: Science, Health and Diseases

UPSC Notes

Shingles, also called herpes zoster, is a viral disease caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox.

After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in nerve tissue. It can reactivate later, particularly with increasing age or weakened immunity.

Major symptoms

  • Pain, burning, tingling or itching.

  • A painful, blistering rash, commonly appearing on one side of the body.

  • Fatigue, fever or headache in some cases.

  • Persistent nerve pain after the rash resolves, known as postherpetic neuralgia.

Prevention and management

  • Vaccination can reduce the risk of shingles and its complications.

  • Antiviral medicines can reduce the severity and duration of illness, particularly when started early.

  • Prompt medical assessment is important if the rash affects the eye or surrounding facial area.

Key Pointers for UPSC

  • Causative agent: Varicella-zoster virus.

  • Virus family: Herpesviridae.

  • Shingles is caused by reactivation of a virus already present in the body.

  • It is different from a first episode of chickenpox.

  • A person exposed to virus from shingles blisters may develop chickenpox if they lack immunity; exposure does not directly cause shingles in that person.

  • Older adults and immunocompromised individuals are at greater risk of complications.