Herpes zoster (shingles)

Herpes zoster, or shingles, is a common viral infection of the nerves, which results in a painful rash of small blisters on a strip of skin anywhere on the body. Even after the rash is gone, the pain may continue for months.

• Shingles is relatively rare in children.
• Your child is most at risk if he had chicken pox during the first year of life or if you had chicken pox very late during pregnancy.
• Rash most often occurs on the trunk and buttocks and usually goes away in one to two weeks.
• Medication may help alleviate some of the pain, but the disease has to run its course.