Symptoms

Shingles is a very atypical virus that usually affects many older adults and senior citizens who had chickenpox when they were children. It is far less common, almost unusual, for teenagers to have it unless their immune systems are compromised in some way. However, that does not mean that teens cannot get shingles. If your child had chickenpox when he or she was younger and now seems to have a nasty, painful rash with blisters, there is a good chance she has developed herpes zoster, another name for this viral infection. Here is what you need to know about the problem, identifying it, and treating it in your teenager. What It Looks Like Imagine several smaller chickenpox blisters clustered together, with several clusters at different spots on the body. Interestingly enough, this virus lays dormant in nerve tissue, so wherever the nerves extend outward from the spinal column is where these patches of blisters will be found. The patches will not itch, but they are very uncomfortable, produce a burning sensation, and may even be extremely painful when the blisters are rubbed to the point of popping. Older adults who develop this viral rash say it’s one of the most