Shingles

Overview :

Any person who has had chickenpox can develop shingles. Approximately 500,000 cases of shingles occur every year in the United States, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Overall, approximately 20% of those who had chickenpox as children develop shingles at some time in their lives. People of all ages, even children, can be affected, but the incidence increases with age. Newborn infants, bone marrow and other transplant recipients, as well as indivduals with immune systems weakened by disease or drugs are also at increased risk. However, most individuals who develop shingles do not have any underlying malignancy or other immunosuppressive condition.