The immune system protects the body against infection and disease. Some conditions and medications can weaken the immune system and set off reactivation of the virus that causes shingles. A weak immune system cannot effectively fight developing infections and illnesses.
Factors that may weaken the immune system, reactivate the chickenpox virus, and cause shingles include:
- Being age 50 or older.
- Recent surgery.
- Drugs or certain medications that suppress the immune system (immunosuppressive drugs).
- Radiation therapy.
- Serious illness or disease, such as cancer or AIDS.
- Poor nutrition.
- Stress.
- Chronic diseases that suppress the immune system, such as diabetes, lupus, or HIV.
- Injury.
- Organ transplant.
Credits
| Author | Debby Golonka, MPH |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Wajeeh E. Nasser, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Randall D. Burr, MD - Dermatology |
| Last Updated | March 21, 2007 |
Author:Debby Golonka, MPH
Last Updated: 03/21/2007
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