(1) Each year, 600,000 or more Americans are diagnosed with shingles , a painful skin disease caused by a reactivation of the chickenpox virus.

(2) Herpes zoster, commonly called shingles , means a girdle in the old sense of a belt.

(3) The medical name for chickenpox is varicella zoster and for shingles it is herpes zoster.

(4) Herpes is caused by herpes simplex viruses, which are similar to the viruses that cause chickenpox and shingles .

(5) With age, the weakening immune system may allow the virus to re-emerge as shingles : a painful rash that causes pain lasting for months or years.

(6) Adults, particularly older ones or those with a run-down immune system, can however also contract shingles (herpes zoster) from a child with chickenpox.

(7) If you have a history of cold sores, shingles or herpes, your doctor can prescribe a medication to prevent these infections after laser surgery.

(8) It may also help relieve pain from nerves damaged by shingles or diabetes.

(9) When the virus reaches the skin, it produces a rash and blisters, known as shingles (herpes zoster).

(10) If you've ever had chicken pox, you may suffer from shingles or herpes zoster.

(11) However, 10% to 20% of people who've had chickenpox develop shingles later in life.

(12) Therefore, if the vaccine afforded protection for life, there would be a very strong argument in favor of universal vaccination - no chicken pox and no shingles .

(13) Chickenpox and shingles were known to be related, but how?

(14) Doug's symptoms might also have been caused by herpes zoster or shingles virus which can also affect the facial nerve.

(15) Chickenpox and shingles are caused by a virus called the Herpes Zoster virus.

(16) As you get older or if your immune system gets weak, the chickenpox virus may escape from the nerve cells and cause shingles .

(17) The herbs in this formula all have active antiviral properties and are effective against herpes, shingles , flu, warts, and other viral infections.

(18) If your immune system is weakened and you come into contact with someone who has active chickenpox or shingles , you should tell you GP.

(19) Recruits were asked about prior chickenpox or shingles , with details recorded.