Which statement about herpes zoster (shingles) is true?

• A. It is contagious to individuals who have had chickenpox.
• B. It can cause post-herpetic neuralgia.
• C. It is caused by a fungus.
• D. It only affects the face.

Answer: (B)

Shingles is caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus that lies dormant after a chickenpox infection. The hallmark is a painful, unilateral vesicular rash that follows a dermatomal distribution. A key reason this statement is true is that post-herpetic neuralgia can occur, meaning nerve pain continues long after the rash has healed, sometimes for months or longer. The other choices don’t fit: the condition is not caused by a fungus; it is a herpesvirus. And it isn’t contagious to people who have already had chickenpox, since those individuals are immune to varicella (they can only transmit varicella to those who have never had chickenpox or vaccination, causing chickenpox rather than shingles). Shingles can affect any dermatome, not only the face.