Understanding the Different Types of Shingles

The type of shingles you have depends on which nerve roots the virus affects. While it most commonly affects the torso, it can also affect your eyes, face, or mouth, be widespread, or not cause a rash at all.The virus that causes chickenpox, varicella-zoster virus (VZV), remains dormant in your nerve roots after you’ve recovered. Years later, it can reactivate, causing shingles.Shingles is a painful rash that most often appears on your trunk. But VZV can reactivate in any nerve root, causing different types of shingles.Although shingles can be quite painful, it’s not usually dangerous. But some shingles types warrant early, aggressive medical treatment.Herpes zosterHerpes zoster (HZ), or typical shingles, is most common in adults ages 50 years and older, though it can occur at any age.If VZV reactivates in your nerves, your first symptoms might be:feverheadachemalaisetingling, pain, numbness, or itch on the area of skin associated with the affected nerve rootAfter a few days, the shing...