Herpes Zoster, commonly known as shingles, is the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus(VZV); the same virus responsible for causing chicken pox.
Shingles is an infection that presents itself as a skin rash with painful blisters on one side of the body, often in a strip.
VZV is transmitted from a person with shingles to an uninfected individual by direct contact with localized skin lesions/ blisters.
Nearly 1 in 3 Canadians develop shingles in their lifetime.
The symptoms of shingles tend to happen in stages:
All individuals who have had varicella (chicken pox) are at risk of developing shingles.
Those with an increased risk of contracting shingles include:
2 shingles vaccines are available for all individuals aged 50 years or older:
Individuals should consult with their healthcare provider to determine which vaccine is best for them.