Understanding Shingles
Why It Happens, How to Reduce Your Risk, and Why Early Action Matters
Many people are surprised to learn that shingles isn't something you "catch" later in life, it's caused by the same virus that caused chickenpox decades earlier. The virus simply goes dormant, hiding within the nerve roots, waiting for an opportunity to reactivate.
At The Wellness Lounge, we've worked with numerous patients experiencing shingles. While every case is different, we've consistently seen that patients who seek treatment early and follow our comprehensive support protocol often experience less discomfort and recover more quickly than those who wait.
What is shingles?
Shingles (Herpes Zoster) is caused by the Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV), a member of the herpesvirus family.
Like all herpesviruses, it has the ability to remain dormant inside the body after the initial infection (similar to Epstein Barr Virus). Years, or even decades, after recovering from chickenpox, the virus can reactivate and travel along a nerve, causing:
Burning or tingling pain
A blistering rash
Extreme skin sensitivity
Nerve pain that can persist long after the rash resolves
Unlike cold sores (HSV-1) or genital herpes (HSV-2), shingles isn't caused by a new infection. It's the reawakening of a virus that has been living quietly inside your nervous system.
How is shingles related to other herpes viruses?
The herpesvirus family includes several viruses that establish lifelong latency:
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1) – cold sores
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2) – genital herpes
Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) – chickenpox and shingles
Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)- mono
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Human Herpesvirus 6 & 7 (HHV-6/7)
Although these viruses behave differently, they share an important characteristic, they can remain in the body indefinitely and reactivate when the immune system becomes less effective at keeping them suppressed. They essentially operate as an opportunistic agent in your system, when they sense the immune system is compromised enough, they appear.
Why does shingles occur?
No single factor causes shingles, but several circumstances appear to increase the likelihood of reactivation, including:
Aging
Significant physical or emotional stress (this is the MOST common case we see)
Illness
Immune suppression
Poor sleep
Nutrient deficiencies
Chronic inflammation
In many patients, shingles seems to occur during periods when the body's immune system is already under significant strain.
Can shingles be prevented?
While no strategy completely eliminates the risk, supporting a resilient immune and minimizing stress to the system may reduce the likelihood of viral reactivation.
We encourage patients to focus on:
Prioritizing restorative sleep
Managing chronic stress
Eating a nutrient-dense diet
Correcting vitamin and mineral deficiencies
Regular physical activity
Supporting overall immune health
These lifestyle habits support the body's ability to keep dormant viruses under control.
Why early treatment matters
One of the biggest predictors of long-term complications is how quickly treatment begins.
The first several days after symptoms appear are especially important. Prompt antiviral treatment prescribed by your healthcare provider significantly reduces viral replication and may decrease the risk of complications.
Additionally, the sooner supportive therapies are started, the better the opportunity to calm inflammation, support immune function, and help the body through the acute phase.
Our experience
At The Wellness Lounge, we've seen encouraging results when patients begin our supportive shingles protocol early alongside their medical treatment.
Our goal is to help patients support their immune response, reduce inflammation, and provide supportive care during one of the most painful viral illnesses many adults experience.
Every patient is unique, and outcomes vary, but we've been encouraged by the improvements we've observed in patients who begin treatment promptly.
Learn more
Our complete shingles protocol, including the research behind each component, when to start treatment, and how we integrate therapies alongside conventional medical care, is available to our Substack subscribers.
If you'd like access to our protocols, educational articles, and the latest research we use in our clinic, subscribe to our Substack and follow along as we continue sharing evidence-informed approaches to supporting optimal health.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Shingles (Herpes Zoster). Updated January 17, 2025.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Clinical Overview of Shingles (Herpes Zoster). Updated June 27, 2024.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pink Book: Zoster. Current recommendations regarding complications, diagnosis, and prevention.
Harpaz R, Leung JW. The Epidemiology of Herpes Zoster in the United States During the Era of Varicella and Herpes Zoster Vaccines. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2019.
Dooling KL, et al. Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for Use of Herpes Zoster Vaccines. MMWR. 2018.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Anyone who suspects shingles should seek medical evaluation promptly, as antiviral medications are most effective when started as early as possible.