Shingles,herpes zoster
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is an acute infection of the spinal nerves that supply sensation to the skin. Generally, this condition involves one or several spinal levels and usually one side of the body. Patients with shingles typically have had chickenpox earlier in childhood or adult life.
It is caused by the herpes virus that causes chickenpox. The virus is believed to exist in a latent state within the nerve roots long after the initial viral infection resolves. The virus reactivates in people with shingles to cause recurrent infection along the sensory nerve. This condition leads to nerve pain and other associated symptoms, such as tiny blisters on the same side of the body. The lower back pain of the lumbar area in patients can precede the skin rash by days.