Pathology · single question
Shingles is caused by which virus?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Varicella-zoster virus (VZV)
- A. Shingles (herpes zoster) results from reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) — the same virus causing chickenpox on primary infection. VZV remains latent in dorsal root/cranial nerve ganglia and reactivates as shingles decades later.
- B. MMR viruses cause measles, mumps, and rubella respectively — none cause shingles.
- C. HSV causes cold sores (HSV-1) and genital herpes (HSV-2), not shingles.
- D. EBV causes infectious mononucleosis; not shingles.