Can shingles outbreaks recur and if so for how long will they last

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Yes, shingles can recur. Shingles is a herpesvirus, specifically herpes zoster - the chickenpox virus. After a person is infected with chickenpox - usually as a child, the virus regresses to the nerve ganglia (groups of nerve cell bodies). It cannot be completely cured.

During times of stress or illness, the virus may re-activate, causing a rash usually preceded for several days by burning pain. The pain and rash is usually one sided and follows one dermatome (nerve distribution). The rash may last for up to a week before it subsides again. Typically, after the first episode, the pain and rash do not last as long as the first episode, however this may be variable.

Treatment is available. Antiviral medications, such as valacyclovir (Valtrex) have been proven to decrease the length of time of outbreaks. It does not prevent outbreaks, however.

Long time complications of shingles may include persistent pain in a dermatomal distribution. If the rash occurs on the face or near the eyes, you should be checked immediately. This condition is called zoster ophthalmicus, and may result in permanent blindness.