Medical Articles

Lying Dormant in Over 90% of Japanese People

09.08.2026

There is a painful skin disease that frequently affects Japanese expatriates living and working abroad: shingles (scientifically known as herpes zoster).

Shingles is a distinct skin disease caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which has been lying completely dormant within the body's nervous system. A defining clinical characteristic is the appearance of symptoms in a clear, band-like pattern along specific nerve pathways on either the right or left side of the body; these painful skin symptoms typically persist for about three weeks.

The progression of the disease typically begins with nerve-specific pain—such as a sharp tingling, pricking, or throbbing sensation—on the surface of the skin. About a week later, red spots emerge in the exact area where the initial pain was felt. Subsequently, clusters of blisters form within these spots; these eventually rupture, leading to temporary skin erosions (raw, ulcerated spots), and finally form scabs as the overall symptoms gradually subside.

Since shingles is triggered by the varicella-zoster virus, anyone who currently carries the virus is at risk of developing the disease. This is the exact same virus that causes chickenpox, a common childhood illness; the initial childhood infection manifests directly as chickenpox.

Because many Japanese individuals contract chickenpox during their childhood, over 90% of Japanese adults already harbor this virus within their bodies. Even after childhood recovery, the virus is never completely eliminated from the system; instead, it remains quietly dormant in nerve cells located near the spinal cord.

When your immunity against the virus declines—triggered by factors such as aging, emotional stress, or physical overwork—this dormant virus reactivates. It travels back down along the nerves to the skin, manifesting as shingles. While the disease is most common among people in their 50s, 60s, and 70s, it is not at all unusual for younger individuals to develop it due to intense overwork or ongoing stress.

Symptoms most commonly appear in the area extending from the chest to the back, with more than half of all cases occurring on the upper body. The face—particularly the sensitive area around the eyes—is also a frequent site for the disease to manifest. It was once widely believed that a person would experience this condition only once in a lifetime; however, recent medical findings demonstrate that recurrence occurs in a small percentage of cases—not only in individuals with weakened immune systems but also in otherwise healthy people.

It should be carefully noted that shingles itself cannot be directly transmitted from one person to another as shingles. However, the fluid from a patient's blisters can easily infect individuals who have never contracted chickenpox before—such as infants or young children—causing them to develop chickenpox instead. Therefore, strict consideration and careful hygiene around others are absolutely necessary.

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