Imagine a permanent burn that turns into a band of blisters on your skin for no apparent reason.
This is often how shingles begins, a viral infection common in people over 50 but still poorly understood.
This disease, related to the varicella virus, mainly affects older people or people with weakened immune systems.
What should we know about this condition, which, although subtle, can have a lasting impact on your quality of life?
What are shingles?
Shingles, also known as chickenpox, is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. The virus remains latent in the body after chickenpox—often in childhood—and sometimes recurs years later. The rash is localized to the sensory nerves, which explains the severe pain that usually precedes the rash.
Warning signs of shingles
The disease usually begins with localized pain, often described as burning, tingling, or tenderness to the touch. This is followed by clustered red blisters that often form a band on one side of the body, especially on the chest or face. Other symptoms may accompany this phase:
Fever
Severe fatigue
Headache
Shivering
Sensitivity to light
Is herpes zoster contagious?
