What is the herpes zoster virus?

Generally, the herpes zoster virus is the varicella-zoster virus, which represents a single serotype and is also a common virus. A detailed analysis is as follows:

Herpes zoster occurs after an individual has recovered from a varicella-zoster virus infection. The body cannot completely eliminate this virus, so it remains dormant within the nervous system. When immune function declines—such as due to exposure to extreme temperatures or certain medications—the latent virus can reactivate. It then travels along nerve pathways to the skin areas innervated by those nerves, where it rapidly replicates. This results in clusters of blisters localized to specific areas of the skin, accompanied by severe pain. Although the condition can resolve spontaneously with symptomatic treatment, many patients develop complications such as postherpetic neuralgia. The varicella-zoster virus is highly contagious and can cause outbreaks in crowded settings like schools and daycare centers. However, herpes zoster itself is not considered a communicable disease and only occurs in individuals with a prior history of chickenpox.

To prevent varicella-zoster virus infection, individuals can receive the attenuated varicella vaccine or the herpes zoster vaccine at local disease control and prevention centers.