Herpes zoster is the medical name for shingles, an illness caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that is responsible for chickenpox. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMM), once an individual contracts chickenpox, the virus remains inactive in nerve tissues where it may become activated some time later as shingles. Exposure to the herpes zoster virus prior to having chickenpox or the varicella-zoster vaccine will result in a severe case of chickenpox instead of shingles. The symptoms of herpes zoster are different from chickenpox symptoms.
Initial Symptoms
The Mayo Clinic explains that moderate to intense pain is often the first symptom of shingles. The pain may impact only one side or only a small section of the body. The same area may also develop sensations of burning, numbness or tingling. Shingles pain can be mistaken for an ailment of the heart, lungs or kidneys due to the location of the pain. Pain from shingles can exist without the development of other distinct symptoms, like the shingles rash.
Rash
Herpes zoster brings about a rash that can appear as a band of fluid-filled blisters that spans only one side of the body, beginning at the breastbone and ending at the spine, according to the Mayo Clinic. This rash can also affect one eye, or one side of the neck or the face. The blisters may break open, crust over and become itchy. The UMM explains that this rash can resemble the early rash of chickenpox, and the scabs will fall off after two or three weeks.
Other Symptoms
The shingles infection may cause a fever with chills. Other general infection symptoms, such as body aches, headache or fatigue, can accompany the other symptoms of herpes zoster. The UMM points out that some individuals may have abdominal pain, trouble moving some facial muscles, eyelid drooping, hearing loss, joint pain, loss of eye motion, swollen lymph nodes, and problems with taste and sight.
