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If I had the chickenpox, does this mean that I could get shingles?
I had the chicken pox when I was a little girl, and now that I'm 42 years, I'm worried that it's very possible for me to get the shingles... since they're both related. Does having the chickenpox in the past increase my risk for shingles now?
2 Answers
Yes it is possible to get shingles in your case. Risk increases with age- and more so for age >50 the shingles vaccination (2 shots) is recommended.
Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. This virus is also the one that develops a painful skin rash called shingles (herpes zoster) later in life. After someone has had chickenpox, the virus stays dormant (resting) in the nervous system for the rest of their life. The virus might reactivate ("wake up") later as shingles to anyone with immune system problems.