If you’ve ever had chickenpox, you are at risk of shingles. Why? Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection that occurs when varicella zoster (or the chickenpox virus) is reactivated within your body. The virus needs to already be present for you to develop this condition. Reactivation is commonly the result of stress, illness, or decreasing immunity. Shingles itself is not contagious, meaning you can’t “catch” shingles from someone who is actively experiencing it. However, a person who has never had chickenpox and is exposed to someone with an active shingles infection may develop chickenpox. Roughly 30% of all Canadians develop shingles, with most episodes occurring after the age of 50. Shingles typically presents as a painful, red, blister-like rash that affects one side of the body. If you suspect that you are experiencing an episode of shingles, you should seek medical advice as soon as possible. Initiation of anti-viral