Shingles and Chickenpox (Varicella-Zoster Virus) - Symptoms

(Page 2)

Cancer. Cancer places people at risk for herpes zoster. At highest risk for developing shingles are those with Hodgkin's disease followed by patients with lymphomas. Chemotherapy itself increases the risk for herpes zoster.

Immunosuppressant Drugs. Patients who take certain drugs that suppress the immune system are at risk for shingles (as well as other infections). They include:

• Azathioprine (Imuran)
• Chlorambucil (Leukeran)
• Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
• Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
• Cladribine (Leustatin)
• Infliximab (Remicade)
• Adalimumab (Humira)
• Prednisone and other corticosteroids

These drugs are used for patients who have undergone organ transplantation and are also used for treating autoimmune diseases. Such disorders include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis.

---

---

Risk Factors for Shingles in Children. Although most common in adults, shingles occasionally develops in children. Children with immune deficiencies are at highest risk. Children with no immune problems but who had chickenpox before they were 1 year old also have a higher risk for shingles.

Risk for Recurrence of Shingles. Shingles can recur, but the risk is low (about 6%). Evidence suggests that a first zoster episode may boost the immune system to ward off another attack. However, people who had long-lasting shingles pain after their first episode, or patients who are immunocompromised, may be at higher risk for recurrence.

Review Date: 05/03/2011
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).