The Facts
Shingles are caused by the virus that causes chickenpox, varicella-zoster.
If you've ever had chickenpox (typically during childhood), this virus is quietly
hiding out in the roots of your nerves and can re-activate causing a painful
skin rash. This is known as shingles, herpes zoster, or "the devil's whip."
Not everyone who has had chickenpox will develop a case of shingles. Approximately
20% of North Americans develop shingles at some point in their life. Two-thirds
of people who get shingles are over the age of 60.