Doctors Warn: This Silent Virus Can Reactivate Years Later and Cause Severe Lasting Pain

Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After initial infection, the virus can remain dormant in nerve tissue for years before becoming active again.

It most commonly affects older adults, but younger people can also develop it, especially if their immune system is weakened by stress, illness, or medical conditions.

Early symptoms are often subtle, including burning, tingling, pain, or heightened skin sensitivity, and may appear before any rash is visible. These signs are sometimes mistaken for other issues, delaying diagnosis.