带状疱疹是由水痘带状疱疹病毒（Varicella zoster virus，VZV）引起的急性炎症性皮肤病，中医称为缠腰火龙、缠腰火丹，俗称蜘蛛疮、生蛇、皮蛇、白蛇、飞蛇。其主要特点为簇集水泡，沿一侧周围神经作群集带状分布，伴有明显神经痛。初次感染表现为水痘，以后病毒可长期潜伏在脊髓后根神经节，免疫功能减弱可诱发水痘带状疱疹病毒可再度活动，生长繁殖，沿周围神经波及皮肤，发生带状疱疹。带状疱疹患者一般来说可获得对该病毒的终生免疫。

Shingles, also known as zoster, herpes zoster, or zona, is a viral disease characterized by a painful skin rash with blisters involving a limited area. Typically the rash occurs on either the left or right of the body or face in a single stripe. Two to four days before the rash occurs there may be pain or tingling in the area. Otherwise there are typically few symptoms. The rash usually heals within two to four weeks; however, some people develop ongoing nerve pain which may last for months or years, a condition called postherpetic neuralgia. In those with poor immune function the rash may occur widely. If the rash involves the eye, vision loss may occur.