HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

How accurate is it that if you've had chickenpox the shingles virus is already inside of you?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Yes: The two illnesses are caused by the same virus. After chickenpox fades, the virus can go into hibernation in nerve roots in front of the spine.At some future time, the virus can emerge from hibernation, travel down the nerve and cause shingles in the area of skin controlled by that nerve.

Dr Cordero and another doctor agreed

Answered 8/26/2013

4.9k views

Thank

Related Questions

A member asked:

Can someone become a carrier of the chicken pox virus? I have shingles and my friend wants to come visit. She had chicken pox when she was little, however her little brother at home has not. Her mom said if she comes into contact with me she will be a car

13 doctors weighed in across 3 answers

A member asked:

Is it possible to test positive on IgG herpes hsv 2 test and not have it?(Is it possible chicken pox virus/shingles could also cause positive result?)

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

If shingles is caused by chicken pox virus,why do they say let your kid get chicken pox or get the vaccine? Wouldnt that increase your risk of shingle

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

I am 67, had chicken pox at 7 which led to encephalitis. Is it safe for me to get shingles vaccination since it uses live virus?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

I don't know if this rash developed over a 3 day period is an allergic reaction, or could be shingles, or even another type virus. I have never had chicken pox as a child, i confirmed this with my mom?

5 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

Do doctors prescribe patients zovifax for shingles, since shingles/chickenpox are cause by the herpes virus ?
I have shingles and kissed my gf and she gave me oral sex. She hasnt had chickenpox yet So can I infect her with the virus(blisters on lowerback/abs)?
Are the varicella zoster virus and shingles the same thing?
Is it possible to get shingles if I never had chicken pox?? Or does it always have to be a reactivation of the chicken pox virus? Thanks.
Can someone catch she shingles virus from someon else if theyve had chicken pox before or can they only contract it on their own?

Telemedicine

Primary Care
Manage Your Conditions
Women's Health
Children's Health
Men's Health
Senior Health
Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle
Sexual Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Travel Medicine
Urgent Care
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.