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. About 30 of people hospitalized for shingles have a weakened or suppressed immune system. Some people say that you will die if the band of shingles crosses the midline of the body. Almost all shingles deaths are in elderly or people with compromised immune system.

People can also develop pneumonia if the virus infects the lungs. Shingles causes fewer than 100 deaths annually. In the u s about 96 shingles related deaths occur each year and almost all the deaths occur in elderly people or people with suppressed immune system. People with autoimmune conditions and people over the age of 65 are at a higher risk for shingles complications.

While it isn t a life threatening condition shingles can be very painful. Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus the same virus that causes chickenpox. The shingles virus can spread to the internal organs resulting in a condition called internal shingles. This does not happen in reality because the virus travels from a nerve root to the skin.

You should get regular care for shingles so your doctor can check for even these uncommon. Years later the virus may reactivate as shingles. A chickenpox infection is usually mild. But the virus can progress and cause potentially life threatening complications like pneumonia or.

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