How does someone get the shingles?

Shingles is caused from the same virus that causes chicken
pox. Sometimes the virus goes dormant (in the nerve roots) never to reappear, but
sometimes it awakens. Years later, it may reappear for many reasons including illnesses,
weakened immune system, or stress. Shingles can be very painful and often causes a
rash.

Shingles itself is not contagious but a person who
has shingles can spread the chicken pox virus to someone who has never had chicken
pox.

Like chicken pox, shingles needs to run its course but
there are medications that can be taken to hurry the process up and alleviate some of
the symptoms.