This condition is caused by the chicken pox virus (herpes zo…
This condition is caused by the chicken pox virus (herpes zoster). After one has chicken pox the virus migrates to the spine and lives there indefinitely. When the immune system weakens, emotional stress occurs, or the person has immunodeficiency or cancer the virus reactivates. It has been estimated that up to 1,000,000 cases of the condition occur each year in the U.S. The sufferer can have pain for more than a week before the virus manifests and pain can be intense. The sensation of the condition can be itching, tingling, burning, constant aching, or a deep, shooting pain. Other nonspecific symptoms that can occur at the same time are fever, chills, headache, or upset stomach. There is a vaccination for this condition and older persons are encouraged to be vaccinated.
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