Can having chickenpox increase the possibility of developing shingles?

Chicken pox and shingles are the same virus but in different forms. Chicken Pox is usually the first presentation, which typically happens in younger individuals and with a characteristic patten of blisters, crusting and a trunkal rash, while Shingles tends to happen later and can be associated with painful blisters in a nerve distribution. The varicella virus sits within the nerve endings, after the initial Chicken Pox infection, and if you become unwell or your immune system is under attack, it can develop as a secondary infection.

Most patients with chickenpox will feel unwell with fever, tiredness for few days before breaking out in a rash. The rash often looks like a combination of red spots and water blisters that may pop and dry into crusted scabs. This may start in one area then spread quickly to involve the rest of the body, face and limbs, and occasionally even inside the mouth. The number of spots can look quite alarming as it can cover almost the whole body and the patient generally feels quite unwell. The blisters usually clear up within one to three weeks but may leave a few depressed scars.