Can You Die From Shingles Virus

Years later the virus may reactivate as shingles.

Can you die from shingles virus.

After you ve had chickenpox the virus lies inactive in nerve tissue near your spinal cord and brain. While it isn t a life threatening condition shingles can be very painful. The shingles virus can spread to the internal organs resulting in a condition called internal shingles. In very rare cases shingles can lead to inflammation or swelling in your lungs brain liver or death.

You should get regular care for shingles so your doctor can check for even these uncommon. Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus the same virus that causes chickenpox. Both are caused by the same virus although it s called varicella when it causes chicken pox. 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.

But the virus can progress and cause potentially life threatening complications like pneumonia or. This is the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles. Shingles causes fewer than 100 deaths annually. People can also develop pneumonia if the virus infects the lungs.

People with autoimmune conditions and people over the age of 65 are at a higher risk for shingles complications. Almost all shingles deaths are in elderly or people with compromised immune system. Some people say that you will die if the band of shingles crosses the midline of the body. However if shingles isn t treated particularly severe cases can lead to death.

About 30 of people hospitalized for shingles have a weakened or suppressed immune system.