What Is Shingles?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
3. Risk Factors
When a risk factor or a trigger arises, the herpes zoster virus reactivates. This is like waking the virus up to cause a new infection. It is not clear what exactly triggers the virus to reactivate.
However, the accepted theory is that the virus reactivates when the immune system is weakened or compromised. The risk factors include old age, immunosuppressive drugs, too much stress, malignant tumors, and cancer treatments.
Advertisement
