A risk factor is something that raises a person's chances of getting a disease or health problem. The more risks a person has, the greater the chances are.
A person can only get shingles if they had
chickenpox. The virus becomes reactivated later on. One in 3 people who have had chickenpox get shingles. It is not known why some people get it and others do not.
Shingles is more common in people over 60 years old. It is also more common in females and Whites. Other things that raise the risk are:
Health Conditions
- Chicken pox infection before age 1 year (in utero or early infancy)
-
Current cancer, such as
Hodgkin lymphoma, lymphoma, and leukemia
- HIV infection or AIDS
- Diabetes
- Long-term health problems that weaken the immune system
Medications and Procedures
Certain procedures and medicines may raise the risk, such as:
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Steroids
- Medicines that lower the immune system
- Organ and stem cell transplants
