shingles

Pronounced: SHIN-guls. guls) This is also called herpes zoster. It\'s the same virus as the one that gives people chickenpox. After you\'ve had chickenpox, the virus stays in your system for the rest of your life. Shingles causes sores or blisters on the body and is very painful. The blisters are contagious and can spread chickenpox virus to anyone who has not had chickenpox and has not had the chickenpox vaccine.