You should know: Chickenpox and shingles are both caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Chickenpox is the initial infection, typically occurring in childhood, characterized by an itchy rash and flu-like symptoms. After the chickenpox infection resolves, the virus remains dormant in nerve tissues (it never leaves your body.. it hides out). Later in life, the virus can reactivate, leading to shingles, which presents as a painful, localized skin rash with blisters. Shingles is more common in older