What is the Cause of Zoster Disease?

Zoster disease, also known as shingles, is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you have chickenpox, the virus stays in your body for the rest of your life. Years later, the virus may reactivate as shingles.

The exact reason why VZV reactivates is not fully understood, but it is thought to be related to a weakened immune system. As people age, their immune systems naturally weaken, making them more susceptible to shingles. Other factors that can increase your risk of shingles include:

* Having a medical condition that weakens the immune system, such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, or diabetes

* Taking certain medications that suppress the immune system, such as corticosteroids or chemotherapy drugs

* Having chronic stress

* Having a history of trauma or surgery

**How does VZV reactivate and cause shingles?**

When VZV reactivates, it travels along nerve pathways to the skin. This causes a rash and blisters to form in the affected area. The rash usually appears on one side of the body and follows a nerve pathway (dermatome).

The blisters of shingles are filled with fluid that contains the VZV virus. If a person with shingles comes into contact with someone who has never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine, the virus can spread to that person and cause chickenpox.

**How can I prevent shingles?**

The best way to prevent shingles is to get the shingles vaccine. The shingles vaccine is recommended for all adults over 50, even if they have already had chickenpox or shingles. The vaccine is very effective at preventing shingles, and it can also help to reduce the severity of shingles if you do develop it.

Other ways to reduce your risk of shingles include:

* Managing stress

* Eating a healthy diet

* Getting enough sleep

If you have any concerns about shingles, talk to your doctor.

Source 😀 bard.google.com