Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is caused by a flareup of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which also causes chickenpox. Although it's possible to develop shingles symptoms on more than one part of the body, it's not likely.
Identification
After chickenpox, VZV goes dormant in some nerve cells of the body; when it reactivates in a nerve, it causes symptoms, including pain and rash, along the path of that nerve, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Features
Because shingles symptoms appear along the path of a nerve, they are usually limited to one side of the body, reports the National Library of Medicine's MedlinePlus website.
Location
The sites most commonly affected by shingles outbreak include, says MedlinePlus, the trunk of the body or the head, including the face.
Effects
Disseminated shingles, which are in more than one place, may occur in people who are immunocompromised (with weakened immune systems), according to MedlinePlus.
Considerations
If pain and rash occur in more than one place on the body, it is generally an indication that shingles is not the cause, and further testing may be necessary.
- Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is caused by a flareup of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which also causes chickenpox.
- If pain and rash occur in more than one place on the body, it is generally an indication that shingles is not the cause, and further testing may be necessary.