Shingles

Anyone who's had chickenpox may develop shingles. It isn't known what reactivates the virus.

Shingles causes a painful rash that may appear as a stripe of blisters on the torso. Pain can persist even after the rash is gone (this is called post-herpetic neuralgia).

Treatments include pain relief and antiviral medication such as aciclovir or valaciclovir. A chickenpox vaccine in childhood or a shingles vaccine as an adult can minimise the risk of developing shingles.