Glossary
Did you find a few medical terms that you were unfamiliar with? This glossary explains the meanings of those terms. And when you click on a term, you’ll hear how to say it.
If you have more questions about Shingles, don’t wait to get them answered. Talk to your doctor or health care professional today.
Allodynia
(all-a-DIN-e-a)
Pain from a source, such as a light touch of the skin, that would not normally
cause pain.
Blister
(BLIS-ter)
A fluid-filled structure appearing under the skin or within the skin.
Chickenpox
(CHIK-en poks)
A disease that usually occurs in children; caused by the varicella-zoster virus.
Herpes zoster
(HER-pez ZOS-ter)
An infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, characterized by an eruption of groups of blisters on one side of the body.
Herpes zoster ophthalmicus
(HER-pez ZOS-ter off-THAL-micus)
A form of Shingles, or herpes zoster, which involves portions of the face at or near the eye. It can lead to vision loss.
Immune
(i-MYOON)
Free from or resistant to the possibility of getting an infectious disease.
Infection
(in-FEK-shun)
Invasion of the body by organisms that can cause disease.
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)
(post-her-PET-ik noo-RAL-je-a)
Long-term nerve pain after the onset of Shingles.
Rash
(rash)
A temporary eruption on the skin.
Shingles
(SHING-glz)
Another name for herpes zoster.
Varicella
(var-i-SEL-a)
A disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus; also called chickenpox.
Varicella-zoster virus
(var-i-SEL-a ZOS-ter VI-rus)
The cause of chickenpox and Shingles. The virus is in the herpes family.
Vesicle
(VES-i-kl)
A small blister of the skin filled with fluid.
Virus
(VI-rus)
A cause of infection.
Zoster
(ZOS-ter)
Another name for herpes zoster.
