Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is the infection of individual nerves and the skin surfaces which are supplied by those nerves. This condition is often triggered by the same virus causing chickenpox: varicella-zoster. It is estimated that millions of people might suffer from shingles during their lifetime. People over 50 years old tend to be at a higher risk than adults or young people. However, it can also show up in those who have previously experienced chickenpox. Here are the top 10 causes of shingles.
Chemotherapy Treatment
People who are suffering from cancer and are treated with radiation or chemotherapy might be at a higher risk of developing shingles compared to those who are not. The reason is that these treatments do not only get rid of cancer body cells, but they can also eliminate all healthy cells in the body. As a result, your immune system is negatively affected and reduces resistance to viral or bacterial infections. Fortunately, many new vaccines are developed to help prevent this health issue in cancer patients. [1]
