  TIIS (`tang ina im shingles) Herpes Zoster (shingles) Herpes zoster, also known as shingles or zoster, is a viral infection caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. Anyone who's had chicken pox can develop herpes zoster. The virus remains dormant or inactive in certain nerve root cells of the body and only when it reactivates does zoster occur. About 20 percent of those people who have had chicken pox will get zoster at some time during their lives. Fortunately, most people will get zoster only once. The first symptom of zoster is burning pain, tingling or extreme sensitivity in one area of the skin usually limited to one side of the body.
This may be present for one to three days before a red rash appears at that site. There may also be fever or headache. The rash soon turns into groups of blisters that look a lot like chicken pox. The blisters generally last for two to three weeks. The blisters start out clear but then pus or dark blood collects in the blisters before they crust over (scab) and begin to disappear. The pain may last longer. It is unusual but possible to have pain without blisters or blisters without pain. and if these words are not enough to freak anyone out, here's what it looks like: gross? yep. painful? yep. i hope to get well soon. *insert grin here* 
