Daily Health News Blog

Most people have heard of shingles, but many do not have a firm idea of what it actually is. I’ve diagnosed patients with shingles who knew little more than that it is rash, which is most likely to strike older adults. Although shingles can be painful, this viral infection is not life-threatening and is unlikely to lead to serious complications. Gaining a better understanding of this virus, however, will help you manage this surprisingly common condition. How Shingles Strikes Shingles is characterized by a often painful, blistering rash. It is usually located near the middle of your back and wraps around one side of your chest. It can also occur on the neck, scalp and face. As I noted above, shingles is a viral rash. So, how do you catch this unpleasant virus? People diagnosed with shingles are usually shocked to hear that they have probably had the virus since childhood. In fact, it is the same virus which causes chicken pox. Once you’ve had chicken pox, your body’s immune s