About 30% of people in the United States will get shingles at some point in their lives. About half of adults age 85 and older have had shingles at least once. It is possible to get shingles more than once.

Shingles (herpes zoster) is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you have chickenpox, the virus stays in your body. It remains inactive (asleep) in the nerves near the spinal cord.

Years later, the virus can become active again. It travels along the nerves to the skin and causes a painful rash. The location of the rash depends on where the virus is in the body.

If you have never had chickenpox, you can get chickenpox from someone who has shingles.

Risk Factors

The following increase your risk of getting shingles:

• Older age, especially over age 60 (this is the biggest risk factor)
• A weakened immune system
• Physical or emotional stress
• Having chickenpox before age 1

Last Updated May 2026