Shingles has long been considered a disease that impacts the older population — people over the age of 50. In the U.S., one in 3 adults will get shingles in their lifetime, and in recent years, more and more people have been diagnosed with the disease across all age groups, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Researchers aren’t entirely sure what’s driving the change, but they do have some clues.
What Is Shingles?
Shingles is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It lives inside the body of anyone who has had chickenpox and can reactivate into adulthood as shingles.
Shingles typically presents as a rash or group of blisters that often appear on the left or right side of the torso. The rash is typically painful and itchy and can feel like the skin is burning. Fluid-filled blisters, sensitivity to touch, fatigue, and fever may also accompany it.
