How to Get a Shingles Rash

Shingles is a virus that causes a person to develop a rash on their body, usually affecting either their left or right side. If a person is diagnosed with shingles, their symptoms will be treated, but the virus is not curable. Steroids and painkillers may be administered to help decrease their discomfort level. There are several ways that a person can get a shingles rash.

Instructions

• 1

  Review your medical history. Shingles is a viral infection, known as herpes zoster that results from the same virus that causes chickenpox. If you have ever had chickenpox in your lifetime, you can later develop a shingles rash.

• 2

  Come into contact with a person with chickenpox. If you never had chickenpox, stay away from a person with shingles or chickenpox. You may catch the virus and later develop a shingles rash.

• 3

  Consider your age. Besides exposure to chickenpox, age plays a factor in whether you get shingles. Individuals over the age of 50 are more likely to develop a shingles rash.

• 4

  Determine if any health problems put you at risk. Shingles rashes are more likely to affect someone with a weakened immune system. People under stress or that have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease have a much higher risk of getting a shingles rash.

• 5

  Receive a chickenpox vaccine from your doctor. Individuals over the age of 60 can receive a vaccine against chickenpox. However, the vaccine may cause you to get a mild and less painful case of shingles.