What is Herpes Zoster commonly known as?

Herpes Zoster is commonly known as Shingles. This condition is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person has recovered from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the nervous system and can reactivate later in life, leading to Shingles.

The symptoms of Shingles typically include a painful rash that develops into blisters, along with accompanying neurological symptoms. Understanding the distinction between these terms is important in a medical context, as they relate to different stages and presentations of viral infections. The other options refer to different conditions: Chicken pox is the initial infection with the varicella-zoster virus, cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, and ringworm is a fungal infection unrelated to the herpes viruses. Recognizing these differences is crucial in the field of dermatology and patient care.