Signs and symptoms

The following are some signs and symptoms that a person could have shingles:

• Pain, burning, numbness or tingling that is on one side of the body (unilateral)
• A red rash that appears a few days after the pain
• A rash that usually covers a well-defined area of skin on one side of the body only (left or right), and stops at the midline
• A rash that usually appears on the chest or abdomen but can appear anywhere on the body, including the face, eyes and genitals
• A rash that becomes itchy, fluid-filled blisters that break open and crust over
• A fever and headache that may develop.²