Which skin condition is caused by the varicella-zoster virus and may resurface later as a painful rash?

• A. Warts
• B. Burns
• C. Eczema
• D. Shingles

Answer: (D)

Varicella-zoster virus can stay dormant in nerve cells after the initial chickenpox infection and may reactivate later as herpes zoster, known as shingles. Shingles presents as a painful, blistering rash that typically follows a single sensory nerve distribution (a dermatome) on one side of the body, and the pain can start before the rash appears and may persist as postherpetic neuralgia. The other conditions don’t fit because warts are caused by human papillomavirus, burns are physical injuries, and eczema is an inflammatory dermatitis not due to a latent viral reactivation. Vaccination can reduce the risk and severity of shingles.