New research has found that people with shingles are four times more likely to have a family member with a history of the condition.
This suggests that some may have an increased genetic susceptibility to the virus.
After a child has had chicken pox, the virus can hide in a nerve root in the spine, only to reactivate decades later in people who's immunity has been weakened by disease or age.
A week ago, shingles patient Linda Odom was worried she might go blind in one eye.
Her eye was swollen, running and suffering from blisters. Thanks to medication, Linda's vision and blisters were better a week later.
Dr. Stephen Tyring, one of the new study's co-authors from the University of Texas, said it is important to know the symptoms of shingles.
"Anyone who gets pain on one side of their face, chest, arm or leg and then gets blisters on that same side, on one side of the body, it's shingles until proven otherwise," said Dr. Tyring.
In the U.S., a vaccine can help prevent shingles, which has just been recommended by the U.S. Center for Disease Control for everyone aged 60 and over, but this vaccine is not yet available in Canada.
Until then, the sooner treatment is started the better chance for patients to prevent severe rash, permanent nerve damage and chronic pain.
The study was published this week in the journal Archives of Dermatology.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Dr. Rhonda Low
