Sexual Health STDs Herpes Herpes Zoster Virus Overview By Elizabeth Boskey, PhD facebook twitter linkedin Elizabeth Boskey, PhD, MPH, CHES, is a social worker, adjunct lecturer, and expert writer in the field of sexually transmitted diseases. Learn about our editorial process Elizabeth Boskey, PhD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Rochelle Collins, DO on October 04, 2020 linkedin Rochelle Collins, DO, is board-certified in family medicine. She is an assistant clinical professor of family medicine at Quinnipiac University and works in private practice in Hartford, Connecticut. Learn about our Medical Review Board Rochelle Collins, DO on October 04, 2020 Print Herpes zoster is the disease that occurs when a latent chickenpox infection becomes reactivated in an older adult. It is also known as shingles. Chickenpox is caused by a herpes virus. However, it is not caused by one of the herpes simplex viruses that cause genital and oral herpes. Instead, it is caused by a different virus from the herpes virus family. This virus is known as varicella-zoster virus or VZV. Initial infection with VZV usually causes symptomatic chickenpox. The virus then goes into a latent stage. It remains dormant in the nerves of the body, just like other herpes viruses do. If activated at a later date, it can take the form of shingles, which is also known as herpes zoster. There are over one million cases of shingles in the United States every year. Science Photo Library - PASIEKA / Brand X Pictures / Getty Images The Rash Herpes zoster causes the formation of a painful rash. This rash usually appears only on one area of the skin—an area supplied by a single nerve in which VZV has been reactivated. Sometimes the pain of herpes zoster can appear without a rash as well. Pain can last for a month or longer, particularly in older individuals. It can sometimes remain for over a year. This type of pain is known as postherpetic neuralgia. It is a chronic condition that can have significant effects on quality of life. In general, the younger a person is when they have chickenpox, the younger they will be when and if they have a shingles outbreak. That said, generally, shingles occur in older adults. However, there are certain exceptions to this rule. One of the exceptions is that individuals with HIV are more likely to have a herpes zoster outbreak. In fact, herpes zoster in a younger adult is often seen as a reason to screen for HIV. Although VZV can be spread by skin-to-skin contact, it not usually considered to be an STD. Instead, it is a common childhood illness, and herpes zoster is a complication that can affect many adults. Things to Know VZV is contagious, but you can't give someone shingles. Basically, that means that if you have shingles, you can pass the virus on to someone who hasn't had chicken pox. However, if you're around people who have already had chicken pox, you can't give them shingles.It is the fluid inside the bumps of the herpes zoster rash that are contagious. Once the rash has completely dried up and crusted over, you are no longer infectious to others. However, you may continue to have symptoms for a month or more.Shingles can also cause lead to other complications, including eye damage, bacterial infections, and Guillain-Barré syndrome.There is a childhood vaccine against chicken pox, but there is also an adult vaccine against shingles. It is currently approved for use in individuals over the age of 50. The vaccine, Zostavax, can significantly reduce both the incidence of herpes zoster and the extent of complications such as postherpetic neuralgia.If you think you might have shingles, it is important to visit a doctor to confirm the diagnosis. You should also be careful around children and adults who have never had chickenpox or who have never been vaccinated while you still have the shingles rash. If your family members and coworkers have already had chicken pox, they are not at risk. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Wareham DW, Breuer J. Herpes zoster. BMJ. 2007;334(7605):1211–1215. doi:10.1136/bmj.39206.571042.AE Volpi A, Gatti A, Pica F, Bellino S, Marsella L, Sabato A. Clinical and psychosocial correlates of post-herpetic neuralgia. Journal of Medical Virology. 2008;80(9):1646-1652. doi:10.1002/jmv.21254 Jianbo W, Koshy E, Mengting L, Kumar H. Epidemiology, treatment and prevention of herpes zoster: A comprehensive review. Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology. 2018;0(0):0. doi:10.4103/ijdvl.ijdvl_1021_16 Additional Reading Gilden D. et al. (2011) Review: The Neurobiology of Varicella Zoster Virus Infection. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol.37(5):441-63. Shapiro M et al. (2011) Update on Herpes Zoster Vaccination: a Family Practitioner's Guide. Can Fam Physician. 57(10):1127-31.