Anyone who's had chicken pox can develop herpes zoster, or shingles. The virus remains in a dormant state in certain nerve cells of the body and then reactivates, causing zoster. About 20 percent of the population are affected at some time during their lives.
Most physicians believe there is a temporary weakness in the body's ability to fight off disease.
This allows the virus to start reproducing and move along nerve fibers toward the skin. Trauma or possibly stress may also trigger a zoster attack. The first symptom of zoster is a burning pain or tingling and extreme sensitivity in one area of the skin. This may be present for one to three days before a red rash occurs. There also may be a little fever or headache.