About the disease
Shingles is a nerve inflammation that is often misunderstood. Despite its prevalence, the cause and effects of this disease are not widely known. A recent survey found that almost three quarters of participants underestimated their risk of contracting the disease.
Varicella zoster virus
Shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same pathogen, the Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV). As initial infection the virus causes varicella, also known as chickenpox.
After chickenpox has resolved, the virus remains dormant in the nerve roots of the spinal cord and the cranial nerves and can reactivate at a later stage causing shingles.
Shingles is caused by reactivation of the varicella zoster virus
Anyone who has ever had chickenpox can therefore develop shingles (medical term: herpes zoster), and this affects almost the entire population.
Chickenpox is among the most common infectious diseases in childhood, it is prevalent worldwide and highly contagious.
By adulthood, almost all individuals have been exposed to the pathogen.
Anyone who has ever had chickenpox is at risk of developing shingles.
1 in 3
individuals will develop shingles at some point in their lifetime.
In Austria, around
People with an underlying medical condition or immunosuppression have an increased risk of contracting shingles, regardless of their age.
Important source of information
There are many websites that provide information about shingles. Detailed and reliable information is available at: