Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus and after an infection has passed, the virus remains in the body in a dormant state in the nerve root endings in the body. The virus, however, can be reactivated by a number of triggers and causes shingles. While the occurrence of shingles is typical in older adults, long after they were initially infected, in rare instances children can develop shingles. Shingles in children and teen can take on a form somewhat different from an adult’s experience. Here you’ll find useful information pertaining to shingles and children.
Children and Teens
While not typical, shingles can occur at any age, however, only about 5 percent of cases occur in children below 15. If an individual had chickenpox at some point in their life, there is a 10 to 15 percent chance of developing shingles. Children who developed chickenpox before the age of 12 months old are believed to be at a greater risk of developing shingles, or if during the third trimester of pregnancy the mother contracted chickenpox. Furthermore, researcher see shingles now appearing in individuals in their late teens.
Symptoms …show more content…
This can be a source of frustration for child, who may have no pain but is itchy and is unable to see any visible signs of the cause. A rash will eventually appear, beginning as a groups of pimples on either the trunk or face. The pimples turn into pus-filled blisters that later pop and a crust forms over the pimples and blisters in roughly 7 to 10 days. The healing of the skin begins once the blisters are crusted over within 2 to 4 weeks after the initial