Shingles is a disease caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox.
Flu-like symptoms, such as fever and malaise, may also be present. Within a few days, the affected area of skin reddens or swells, and a rash of fluid-filled blisters develops. The blisters usually crust over within a week and eventually heal. Other symptoms may remain, however, such as intense, debilitating pain in areas where the blisters occurred. The symptoms of shingles appear on only one side of the body, usually on the torso or face.