Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a painful affliction for millions of Americans every year. Unfortunately, there is no cure for the disease at this point, but ongoing shingles vaccine trials hopes to deliver a solution in the not-to-distant future.

Shingles has a very defined list of risk factors. Leading the list is a bout of chickenpox. The chickenpox virus is the cause of shingles, so it is the definitive risk factor. Here are a few other subordinate risk factors.

• Being over the age of 50.
• Having cancer or being treated for cancer.
• Experiencing trauma or stress.
• Possessing a weakened immune system due to another affliction, usually a chronic disease such as diabetes.

As you can see, most of these risk factors are associated with a compromised immune system. Shingles is an opportunistic disease associated with the nervous system, therefore even psychological stress can be a trigger for a shingles episode. If you are at risk for shingles, it would be wise to consult your primary healthcare practitioner about steps you can take to prevent shingles.