Symptoms of Shingles

Shingles symptoms occur with reactivation of the Varicella zoster virus. This is the same virus that causes the chickenpox. This latent infection can become reactivated from the dorsal root ganglia where it can stay dormant for many years. Shingles symptoms often occur during a time when the immune system is decreased.

Approximately 10-20% of people will develop shingles symptoms during their lifetime. The people most at risk are elderly people, people with cancer, and people with AIDS. However, shingles symptoms can occur in anyone, even if they are not at risk.

Shingles symptoms include pain occurring 3-6 days prior to the development of a skin rash. The skin rash, when it occurs, most commonly is in a dermatomal pattern. This is almost a wedge shaped area that will be only on one side of the body.

Associated shingles symptoms include fever, malaise, headache, and fatigue. The rash occurs after the skin tingling or burning has been there for a period of days. Generally the rash will start as papules and turn into vesicles which later crust over and often scar. People can develop bacterial infections of the rash which require antibiotics. People can develop enlarged lymph nodes. The pain associated with shingles can be severe and can last long after the rash has disappeared.

Symptoms of Shingles often do not lead directly to the underlying diagnosis and many symptoms can be misleading. Please review all concerns and information found on this website with your health care provider.