What Do You Know About Shingles?

Learn about shingles, a painful skin condition, by taking this quiz.

Both chickenpox and shingles are caused by the same virus, varicella-zoster (VZV). What does "varicella" mean?

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"Varicella" is a Latin word used to distinguish the chickenpox/shingles virus from its much more virulent relative, variola, which causes smallpox. "Zoster" is part of the virus name because it is the Greek word for "girdle"; a common symptom of shingles is a band (girdle) of blisters halfway around the waist. "Shingles" itself comes from Latin word "cingulum," which also means "belt" or "girdle."

A. Little poxB. Little beltC. Little scratchD. Little girdle

After causing chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus can hide out in the body for years, before reactivating to cause shingles. Where does the virus bide its time?

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After a bout of chickenpox has ended, the virus moves to nerve cells called sensory neurons near the brain and spinal cord and becomes inactive. When the virus becomes active again, it moves down the nerve fibers to the skin, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke says. The virus then multiplies, and pain develops, usually followed in a few days by a rash at the site of the pain. The varicella-zoster virus belongs to a group of viruses called herpesviruses, all of which can hide out in nerves between infections. Another member of this group is the herpes simplex virus, which causes cold sores, fever blisters and genital herpes.

A. In heart cellsB. In nerve cellsC. In lung cellsD. In skin cellsE. None of the above

What percentage of adults may expect to develop shingles?

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Most cases of shingles occur after age 50, although younger people may develop it. Once a person develops shingles, he or she usually won't get it again, but some people do. People who have a damaged immune system are more likely to develop shingles and are more likely to have it recur. Among healthy people, shingles may be triggered by anything that weakens the immune system such as aging, stress, the common cold, or sunburn, the NINDS says. Researchers aren't sure why only certain people develop shingles.

A. 10 percentB. 12 percentC. 15 percentD. 17 percent

A rash that girdles half the waist is a telltale sign of shingles. Which of these is also a symptom of the disease?

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The three symptoms above may occur first, before the rash appears. Other early symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, or upset stomach. After several days, a rash similar to chickenpox appears, the NINDS says. The rash may occur in a band on one side of the waist, on one side of the trunk or on one side of the face. But, although the rash of chickenpox doesn't hurt, the rash of shingles often is quite painful.

A. Burning skinB. Tingling skinC. Numbness of the skinD. All of the above

How long does the shingles outbreak last?

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Shingles usually lasts 3 to 5 weeks, longer than chickenpox, at 2 weeks or less. The rash generally does not result in scarring.

A. 1 weekB. 2 weeksC. 3 weeksD. 5 weeksE. C or D

When can a person with shingles pass it on to another person?

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A person with shingles cannot pass shingles on to anyone else. A person with shingles can, however, pass on the virus. For this to occur, the person with shingles must have the shingles rash present and the second person must not have had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine. The second person will develop chickenpox, not shingles. A person who has been vaccinated against chickenpox is protected from exposure to a person with active shingles.

A. NeverB. Just before the rash appearsC. While the rash is visibleD. B and C

How is shingles treated?

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The length of a shingles outbreak and the severity of its pain can be eased by antiviral medication such as famciclovir, valacyclovir, and acyclovir. This is particularly true if treatment is started within 72 hours after the rash first appears, the NINDS says. Early treatment also helps reduce the risk for a complication of shingles called postherpetic neuralgia, which refers to pain lasting after the shingles rash goes away. Other treatments for postherpetic neuralgia include steroids, antidepressants, antiseizure medications, and topicals.

A. No treatment is availableB. AntibioticsC. AnesthesiaD. AntiviralsE. None of the above

Which of these is a possible complication of shingles?

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One of the main complications of shingles is persistent pain, called postherpetic neuralgia. This may occur because the nerve cells that carry pain signals are most affected by the shingles virus, the NINDS says. The pain can be severe and unrelenting. That's why it's important to see your doctor promptly for treatment if you develop symptoms of shingles. Antiviral medications, steroids, antidepressants, and antiseizure medications may help prevent postherpetic neuralgia. Shingles outbreak on the face is a particularly dangerous condition. Involvement of the seventh and eighth cranial nerve causes a condition called Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, which can result in facial paralysis and inner ear damage. People who develop a shingles rash on the face may have an inflammation of the eyes that can lead to impaired vision. Shingles on the face also may affect the auditory nerves and hearing.

A. Vision impairmentB. Hearing complicationsC. Persistent painD. All of the above

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What Do You Know About Shingles?