Shingles

Shingles is a reactivation of the herpes zoster virus, the same virus that causes chicken pox. Many people have this virus in their body, but it usually remains inactive. It causes shingles when it is reactivated in a particular nerve pathway—most commonly, in the face and chest areas.

Shingles produces moderate to severe pain. It creates nerve pain from a non-cancerous source, but it can occur in women with breast cancer.

Treatment starts with acyclovir (brand name: Zovirax), famcylovir (brand name: Famvir), or valcyclovir (brand name: Valtrex) plus nerve pain medications such as steroids, opioids (narcotics), or other treatments for nerve damage pain, as your doctor prescribes.