Shingles is a common disease that causes a painful rash, usually in a band across one side of your body or face. It is caused by the same virus as chickenpox, and you can only get shingles if you have already had chickenpox. The virus stays in your nervous system and you develop shingles if it becomes active again and attacks the nerves.

Shingles can be very painful, but this is less likely if you are treated early, so visit your doctor as soon as the symptoms appear.

Is shingles infectious?

Shingles isn't spread through the air and you can't 'catch' shingles from someone else. However, if you have never had chickenpox, it is possible to catch chickenpox from someone with shingles. So if you have shingles you should avoid contact with:

• Babies and young children who haven't had chickenpox.
• Pregnant women who haven't had chickenpox.
• People with weakened immune systems, such as people who have cancer or HIV and AIDS.