What is Herpes zoster?
{{Redirect|Shingles|the roofing material|Roof}} [[File:Herpes zoster neck.png|right|thumb|250px|Herpes zoster on a patient's neck]] '''Herpes zoster''' (also known as '''shingles''' or '''zona''') is a disease in humans. The same [[virus]] that causes [[chickenpox]] also causes shingles. The [[symptom]]s are pain and a [[rash]] with [[blister]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/symptoms.html|title=CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Shingles (Herpes Zoster) - Signs & Symptoms|website=www.cdc.gov|publication-date=January 19, 2018|access-date=7 February 2019}}</ref> The shingles [[vaccine]] reduces the risk of shingles. Antivirus [[medicine]] can reduce the seriousness and duration of shingles if started within 3 days of the rash. == General information == Shingles is a viral disease produced by the [[:en:Varicella_zoster_virus|varicella zoster virus]] (VZV), the same virus that causes chicken pox. Its symptoms include pain and a blistering rash that occurs along the nerves that contain [[Dormancy|dormant]] virus. You can not [[Infection|catch]] shingles. However, you can catch chicken pox through direct contact with someone who has shingles, by touching the area of the rash. Most people who get shingles are old. It sometimes infects younger people, or people with a weakened [[immune system]]. [[wikt:stress|Stress]] may trigger shingles. The disease starts with [[Paresthesia|tingling]], [[Pruritis|itchiness]], or [[pain]] on an infected person's [[skin]]. After a few days, the disease causes a blistering rash. This rash may be on the [[Torso|trunk]] or [[face]]. The rash grows into small [[blister]]s filled with fluid. These blisters dry out and crust over for several days. The rash causes anything from mild itching to extreme pain. The rash stays in one [[Dermatome|region]] of the body. The shingles virus is [[Infection|contagious]] from person to person only by direct contact. For this reason, persons with shingles are advised to limit contact with those who are