Shingles, also called herpes zoster, is caused by the Varicella zoster virus (VZV), which is part of the Herpes virus family. It is not the same herpes virus that causes genital herpes or cold sores.

(Photo: Electron micrograph of Varicella zoster virus. Approximately 150,000-fold magnification. Made available by CDC/Dr. Erskine Palmer/B.G. Partin. Wikimedia Commons)

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