Can You Die From Shingles Virus

Years later the virus may reactivate as shingles.

Can you die from shingles virus.

Shingles also called herpes zoster is a souvenir of childhood chicken pox infection. The shingles virus can spread to the internal organs resulting in a condition called internal shingles. However if shingles isn t treated particularly severe cases can lead to death. Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus the same virus that causes chickenpox.

Almost all shingles deaths are in elderly or people with compromised immune system. A chickenpox infection is usually mild. This is the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles. People can also develop pneumonia if the virus infects the lungs.

But the virus can progress and cause potentially life threatening complications like pneumonia or. In very rare cases shingles can lead to inflammation or swelling in your lungs brain liver or death. While it isn t a life threatening condition shingles can be very painful. In the u s about 96 shingles related deaths occur each year and almost all the deaths occur in elderly people or people with suppressed immune system.

After you ve had chickenpox the virus lies inactive in nerve tissue near your spinal cord and brain. You should get regular care for shingles so your doctor can check for even these uncommon. Shingles causes fewer than 100 deaths annually. Both are caused by the same virus although it s called varicella when it causes chicken pox.

People with autoimmune conditions and people over the age of 65 are at a higher risk for shingles complications.