After recovering from chicken pox, the virus may remain inactive within the cells of the sheath surrounding a large nerve. Years later, it may emerge as shingles.
Shingles affects only the area of the body served by the nerve that held the dormant virus.
Factors such as age, illness, medications, or stress, can make the virus active again. Older adults and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to get shingles. Shingles are not contagious among people with normal immune systems. Early symptoms may include sensations of burning, tingling, or itching. When the virus reaches the skin, pain, a rash, and blisters occur.