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(HealthDayNews) -- Shingles, or herpes zoster, is caused by the chickenpox virus that remains dormant in people who had the virus as children or young adults.

Shingles tends to occur after age 50, and the risk increases as you get older. Its primary symptoms are severe pain, numbness, and itching caused by clusters of blisterlike lesions. The pain can persist for weeks, months, or years after the rash heals, when it becomes known as post-herpetic neuralgia.

It's important to remember that people with shingles can spread chickenpox to those who have never had chickenpox.

If you think you have symptoms of shingles, call your doctor as soon as possible. Treatment with antiviral medications are most effective if administered as soon as possible, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.