Can You Die From Shingles Virus

This is the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles.

Can you die from shingles virus.

Both are caused by the same virus although it s called varicella when it causes chicken pox. Shingles causes fewer than 100 deaths annually. The shingles virus can spread to the internal organs resulting in a condition called internal shingles. Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus the same virus that causes chickenpox.

About 30 of people hospitalized for shingles have a weakened or suppressed immune system. Almost all shingles deaths are in elderly or people with compromised immune system. You should get regular care for shingles so your doctor can check for even these uncommon. A chickenpox infection is usually mild.

Years later the virus may reactivate as shingles. Some people say that you will die if the band of shingles crosses the midline of the body. This does not happen in reality because the virus travels from a nerve root to the skin. People can also develop pneumonia if the virus infects the lungs.

Shingles also called herpes zoster is a souvenir of childhood chicken pox infection. While it isn t a life threatening condition shingles can be very painful. People with autoimmune conditions and people over the age of 65 are at a higher risk for shingles complications. However if shingles isn t treated particularly severe cases can lead to death.

In very rare cases shingles can lead to inflammation or swelling in your lungs brain liver or death.