Herpes zoster (HZ) is an inflammatory condition characterised by a blistering, itching and burning rash that heals after two to three weeks. HZ is caused by the activation of the Varicella-zoster virus. Varicella-zoster is the same virus that causes chicken pox, therefore HZ only occurs in people who have had chicken pox. Once a person has had chicken pox the virus remains in nerve cells near the spine. Chicken pox will never reoccur if the virus is "reactivated", instead a condition far worse than chicken pox develops- HZ.
For more information, see Herpes Zoster (HZ)
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