Why would a young healthy person get shingles?

A weakened immune system can occur due to age. But in younger adults, the immune system can be compromised by acute or chronic illness or extreme stress. People who are immunocompromised have a higher risk of developing shingles regardless of age.

Why is getting chicken pox worse for adults?

The illness is often more severe in adults compared to children. Most people who have had chickenpox will be immune to the disease for the rest of their lives. However, the virus remains inactive in nerve tissue and may reactivate later in life causing shingles.

What age group does shingles affect the most?

That’s why shingles tends to be more common in people older than 50. The risk of shingles continues to increase as people age. Some experts estimate that half the people who live to age 85 will get shingles at some point. Shingles can affect younger people, too, as a result of factors that can affect the immune system.

Does having chicken pox prevent shingles?

Anyone who’s had chickenpox may develop shingles. After you recover from chickenpox, the virus enters your nervous system and lies dormant for years. Eventually, it may reactivate and travel along nerve pathways to your skin — producing shingles. But, not everyone who’s had chickenpox will develop shingles.

Is stress a cause of shingles?

Emotional stress is considered a trigger for shingles because it has been shown to weaken the body’s immune system. This can happen in those who have undergone a sudden shock, such as the death of a loved one, or people who face chronic work or life stress.

How common is teenage shingles?

With the vaccine to protect against varicella zoster virus (VZV) now available, though, most kids can now avoid this infection. But anyone who has had chickenpox may later develop shingles — even children. The good news is that shingles is pretty rare in kids and teens with healthy immune systems.