It affects only the area of the body served by the nerve that held the virus. It is not known what makes the virus active again. Older adults and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to get it. Infected people can infect those who have not had chicken pox. Chicken pox will be the result, not shingles.
Early symptoms are pain, itching, and possibly decreased feeling in the affected area.
A rash begins in a band around one side of the chest, abdomen, or on the face. The rash blisters, fills with fluid, then pus, breaks open and then crusts over. It clears up in a few weeks. Pain may be limited or severe and improve when the rash heals or may continue for months or years. Post herpetic neuralgia occurs in 50 percent of those who have had shingles and are over age 60.