Diseases & Conditions
Shaking off shingles
This painful condition is more likely to attack as you age, and it can raise your risk for chronic pain, stroke, and other problems.
A common childhood illness can return to cause serious health issues later in life. Shingles is a disease caused by the same varicella-zoster virus that triggers childhood chickenpox.
All adult Americans who were exposed to chickenpox can develop shingles. Prior to the availability of a shingles vaccine, one in three adults were affected.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.