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Is Shingles Genetic?

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is not a genetic condition. Its root cause is infection with human herpesvirus-3, also known as varicella-zoster virus (VZV); this virus also causes chicken pox.

  1. Identification

    • During first infection with VZV, a infected individual develops chicken pox. Once you are infected with VZV, you cannot be infected again; however, the virus also never completely clears from your system.

    Features

    • After active chicken pox infection clears up, the varicella-zoster virus becomes dormant in some of the body's nerve cells.

    Time Frame

    • VZV can remain dormant in nerve cells for years or even decades. It is not known why a particular flare-up occurs when it does, although the Mayo Clinic reports that risk factors are advancing age and having a weakened immune system.

    Risks

    • Because VZV cannot be fully cleared from the system, it is possible to have further outbreaks of shingles after the initial outbreak. Pain associated with shingles can also develop into a chronic condition known as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).

    Prevention

    • There is a vaccine available to help reduce the chances of developing a shingles outbreak; this vaccine also reduces the chances of developing complications of shingles. It can be used in people who have already had shingles to reduce the chances of another outbreak, according to the Mayo Clinic.

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