Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). This virus is the same one that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the nervous system, specifically in the sensory ganglia of the spinal cord or cranial nerves.
Several factors can contribute to the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, leading to shingles:
- Weakened immune system: A weakened immune system, which can result from aging, stress, certain medical conditions (such as HIV/AIDS or cancer), or medications that suppress the immune system, increases the risk of shingles.
- Aging: The risk of developing shingles increases with age. As people get older, their immune system may become less effective at suppressing the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus.
- History of chickenpox: Shingles occurs in individuals who have previously had chickenpox. After recovering from chickenpox, the virus can remain dormant for years or even decades before reactivating as shingles.
- Physical or emotional stress: High levels of physical or emotional stress can weaken the immune system and trigger a shingles outbreak.
- Injury or trauma: Physical trauma or injury to a specific area of the body can sometimes lead to shingles affecting that area.
It’s important to note that shingles is not directly contagious. However, a person with active shingles can transmit the varicella-zoster virus to someone who has never had chickenpox or received the varicella vaccine. In such cases, the exposed person may develop chickenpox, but not shingles directly.
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The Shingle Solution™ By Julissa Clay This eBook includes a program to treat the problem of shingle naturally. The author of this eBook, Julissa Clay, a practitioner in natural health, has killed the shingles causing virus completely to overcome the problem of PHN or Postherpetic neuralgia, one of the common complications caused by shingles.