Symptoms of Shingles Virus

Shingles is a painful viral infection caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chicken pox. Herpes zoster is another name for shingles. It usually affects adults who had chicken pox as children. This skin disease begins with pain and then a rash and blisters develop. The Mayo Clinic writes that the infection is a "band of blisters that wraps from the middle of your back around one side of your chest to your breastbone." While herpes has no cure, there are treatments for the various symptoms of shingles.

Pain

• The pain of shingles can be mild to excruciating. In the area of the rash or blisters there may also be itching, a burning sensation, a tingling feeling or sensitivity to touch. In some cases there is numbness.

Rash

• After the pain begins, a red rash appears in a few days. The rash looks like chicken pox, but there is less itching.

Blisters

• The blisters of shingles are fluid-filled lesions. Eventually, the blisters break open. As they heal, a crust forms over the blisters.

Fever and Chills

• Some people experience a high temperature and also chills.

Headache

• Symptoms vary but some people also experience headaches.

Upset Stomach

• During a shingles outbreak, some people have slight nausea or abdominal discomfort.