Burning pain, tingling, or aching with a band-shaped rash on the left or right side of the chest, abdomen, or face and scalp may mean that you have a viral infection called shingles (herpes zoster). This infection is caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus in the body years after the person has had chickenpox. The virus usually affects the large nerves that spread outward from the spine or the nerves of the scalp and face.

The pain can start days or weeks before the rash appears. The rash will first form blisters, then scab over, and finally clear up over a few weeks. See a picture of a shingles rash. The rash can be in a band, a strip, or a small area.

No one knows what makes the virus active again. Shingles is more common in older adults and people who have weakened immune systems, but it can affect anyone who has had chickenpox.

Contact with the herpes blisters can cause chickenpox in a person who has not had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine. Since shingles is caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, you do not get shingles from exposure to shingles.

If you suspect you have shingles, you may need to call your health professional to confirm the diagnosis and talk about medicine that can limit the pain and rash. Medicines are most effective if started within the first 2 days of the start of the rash.