Shingles chicken pox refers to two forms of viral infections and initially these were thought to be completely different. However research has now determined that these two conditions are caused by the same virus belonging to the herpes family. This virus called the varicella zoster virus causes skin eruptions. The varicella zoster virus includes the terms varicella which is primarily responsible for causing chicken pox and herpes zoster which is the reactivation of this virus resulting in shingles.

With shingles chicken pox a person having chicken pox can transmit the virus to another person through infectious droplets that spread when the infected individuals coughs or sneezes. If another person inhales these particles and is not vaccinated then he/she may get the rash associated with chicken pox. The same varicella virus can travel to the nerve cells and lie hidden and inactive for years. If this virus then becomes active it can cause shingles.

The shingles chicken pox virus spreads within the ganglion along with the nerves that connect to it. The nerves that are often affected include the ones in the face and the trunk. This virus may also spread to the bloodstream and the spinal cord. Researchers are still not clear about why the virus is reactivated in some people and not in others. It is believed that a compromised immune system can contribute to the development of this condition.

Aging also increases the possibility of shingles chicken pox. The incubation period for chicken pox is around 10 to 20 days and the initial symptoms in this include, fever, swollen glands, headache along with the typical rash. The symptoms tend to subside after the eruption of the rash. The typical shingles condition is observed among adults and the rash ordinarily erupts on one area of the body.

The condition initial starts with warning symptoms which are called prodrome and this is followed with the active shingles chicken pox condition and in some patients this is followed with postherpetic neuralgia. The early part of shingles infection is accompanied with pain and the pain is experienced at the site where the virus is reactivated. The pain is often sharp, piercing, aching or tearing. The skin may also feel numb and this may be accompanied with increased sensitivity and itching.

Muscle aches and other flu like symptoms are also experienced by patients. This prodrome stage can last for around 1 to 5 days and after this the infection tends to become active and the skin tends to erupt in a rash. With shingles chicken pox the rash tends to erupt in the trunk region in around 50 to 60 percent of the cases. Another common site for the rash also includes the lower back or the neck. In case the infection affects the face then there is a greater danger of the infection spreading to the mouth or the eye.

The rash in shingles chicken pox is typically characterized by appearance of red, small and well defined spots. These spots turn into blisters filled with fluid in around 12 to 24 hours. These blisters then grow and are filled with pus and in around 7 to 10 days they tend to form crusts and then heal. In around a month’s time the skin clears.