
Both shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same virus, varicella zoster.
If you have had chickenpox, the virus can lay dormant in your body’s nerve cells and come back later as shingles. So yes, it’s possible to get shingles if you have had chickenpox.
This is especially true for people over the age of 50 as well as the immunocompromised. It’s therefore recommended that they get the shingles vaccine if possible. Of course, no vaccine is 100% effective, but it can considerably reduce someone’s risk of developing shingles.
What are risk factors for shingles?
The risk of the varicella zoster being reactivated in the form of shingles increases with the following factors:
What are signs and symptoms of shingles?
Signs and symptoms of shingles typically occur over one side of the face or body and may include:
- Pain, which can vary in intensity
- Burning sensation, numbness or tingling, and itching
- Raised red rash, which usually appears a few days after pain
- Multiple blisters, which appear in a stripe pattern and may contain fluid
- Fever, chills, and body ache
- Headache
- Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
- Fatigue
What is the treatment for shingles?
Treatment is most effective when begun within 72 hours of the appearance of a rash.
Shingles can cause severe pain that may not go away with over-the-counter (OTC) medication. Antiviral drugs (Acyclovir, Valacyclovir, etc.) can speed up recovery and reduce the risk of complications. Pain can also be treated with:
- Cool compresses
- Medicated lotions to reduce pain and itching
- Numbing creams
- Prescription painkillers, such as codeine, for intense pain
- Antiseizure medications
- Antidepressants
What are the complications of shingles?
Shingles can have complications that last long after the rash is gone and may occur if the infection has not been treated appropriately. Complications include:
- Inflammation of the brain
- Facial nerve paralysis
- Loss of vision
- Postherpetic neuralgia (pain that lasts long after the infection resolves)
- Loss of hearing and balance problems
- Loss of taste
- Bacterial infection of the skin, causing increased swelling, redness, warmth, pain, tenderness, and pus formation
Can shingles be prevented?
The FDA has approved the Shingrix vaccine to prevent shingles. Shingrix is a newer vaccine recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that is 90% effective in preventing shingles. The vaccine is given in 2 doses 6 months apart.
As a recombinant vaccine, it is created by altering and purifying DNA that codes for a shingles virus antigen. This antigen produces an immune response to fight the virus.

SLIDESHOW
What Is the Main Cause of Shingles Rash? Signs, Symptoms, Vaccine See SlideshowWho should get the Shingrix vaccine?
The CDC recommends the following people to get the Shingrix vaccine:
- Healthy individuals aged 50 years or older (although there is no minimum age)
- People who are unsure whether they have had chickenpox in the past
- People with a history of shingles
Who should not get the Shingrix vaccine?
The Shingrix vaccine should be avoided in the following cases:
- History of allergic reaction to the first dose of the shingles vaccine
- History of allergy to any of the ingredients in the vaccine
- Current, ongoing shingles infection
- Other current, ongoing infections causing fever
- Currently pregnant or breastfeeding
- Negative test result for the varicella zoster virus (in this case, the chickenpox vaccine is given instead)
What are the side effects of the Shingrix vaccine?
Like most vaccines, it is normal to experience minor side effects from the Shingrix vaccine. They may last 2-3 days after dosage. Taking an OTC pain medication can help relieve side effect symptoms.
Common side effects include:
- Pain at the injection site
- Fever
- Body pain
- Headache
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
Severe allergic reaction to the vaccine (anaphylaxis) is extremely rare but can be fatal and requires emergency medical attention. Symptoms include:
Health News
- Attachment Theory: What It Is, Stages & the Different Attachment Styles
- Gentle Parenting: What It Is, Techniques & Discipline
- U.S. Nursing Homes Fail to Report Many Serious Falls, Bedsores: Study
- The Younger You Get Diabetes, the Higher Your Risk for Dementia Later
- FDA Grants Full Approval to Paxlovid to Treat COVID-19
More Health News »
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Shingles Vaccination. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/index.html
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Vaccines by Disease. https://www.vaccines.gov/diseases/shingles
WebMD. Understanding Shingles -- the Basics. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/guide/understanding-shingles-basics
WebMD. Shingles. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/shingles/shingles-skin#1
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Shingles (Herpes Zoster). https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/index.html
Janniger CK. Herpes Zoster. Medscape, https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1132465-overview
Top Can You Get Shingles If You Have Had Chickenpox? Related Articles
Can You Get Shingles After Being Vaccinated?
Shingles is a viral infection. It presents with a rash followed by an episode of intense pain in the infected area. This is caused by the virus called varicella zoster. This virus also causes chickenpox. If a child has had chickenpox, the virus may not completely go away, lie dormant in the body and come back years later as shingles. Older individuals and immunocompromised individuals are more likely to develop shingles.Can You Have a Mild Case of Shingles?
The severity of shingles depends on various factors, such as age of the patient, general health condition of the patient, and the part of the body where shingles develops.Chickenpox (Varicella)
Chickenpox (chicken pox) is a contagious childhood disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Symptoms have an incubation period of 14 to 16 days and include a couple days of mild fever, weakness, and red, raised rash that progresses to blisters that eventually burst and crust over. Complications include bacterial infection of the open sores, scarring, encephalitis, nerve palsies, and Reye's syndrome.Chickenpox Quiz
How is chickenpox related to shingles? Take the Chickenpox Quiz to assess your IQ of this itchy, blistering childhood skin disease.How Long Does the Shingrix Vaccine Last?
The effects of the Shingrix vaccine, which provides protection against shingles, last for at least four years in most people and may last even longer in some.How Long Is Shingles Contagious?
Shingles is contagious from the time the blisters are oozing until the time the blisters have scabbed.Is Shingles Contagious?
Shingles is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Shingles symptoms and signs include skin burning, numbness, and tingling along with a painful red, blistering rash. Shingles is contagious until all of the blisters have crusted over.Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a painful rash caused by the varicella zoster virus. Other shingles symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, and body aches. Treatment focuses on pain management and shortening the duration of the illness with antiviral medications.Shingles Quiz
Shingles falls within a well-known family of viruses that cause itching, burning, blisters, and pain. Take the Shingles Quiz to get the facts, causes, symptoms, and treatments for this itchy, painful condition.Shingles Pictures
An acute infection caused by the herpes zoster virus, the same virus as causes chickenpox. See a picture of Shingles and learn more about the health topic.What Is the Main Cause of Shingles Rash? Signs, Symptoms, Vaccine
Shingles occurs when the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox, re-emerges due to a weakened immune system. Tingling may occur before herpes zoster blisters appear, usually on the side of the body. The shingles vaccine can boost the immune system to lower the risk of shingles outbreaks.Myths and Facts About Shingles
There are some common misconceptions about this viral illness and the uncomfortable rash it can cause. Here's a guide through the myths and facts of shingles.Skin Problems: Rosacea, Acne, Shingles, Covid-19 Rashes
Learn to spot and treat skin conditions commonly found in adults such as acne, Covid-19 rashes, eczema, shingles, psoriasis, rosacea, hives, cold sores, razor bumps, athlete's foot, and more dermatology details.What Does a Shingles Rash Look Like at First?
The typical shingles red rash or blisters occur after pain, itching, and tingling. They are usually limited to one side of the face and body.What Triggers a Shingles Outbreak?
Shingles occur when the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox, reactivates in the body, usually due to a weakened immune system. Learn about the symptoms of shingles and how you can treat them. The difference between chickenpox and shingles is that the first time you get infected with the varicella virus, you get chickenpox. Shingles is a condition you can develop if you've already had chickenpox. Learn about the differences between chickenpox and shingles and how these two diseases are connected.Why You Shouldn't Get the Shingles Vaccine
Shingles activates when your immunity is low, usually with advancing age. But not everyone who is a candidate for the shingles vaccine should take it.