Shingles is characterized by the following signs and symptoms:
- Rashes or blisters
- Fever or weakness
- Burning pain or itching
- Tingling and numbness
- Swelling, redness in the eyes and drooping of eyelids

The main causative agent for shingles is varicella zoster virus. It occurs due to the reactivation of virus in the people who had chickenpox earlier. Risk factors include decreased immunity, cancer chemotherapy, steroids, HIV, diabetes and old age.

Yes, children can get shingles if they have low immunity. If they had chickenpox earlier, then there can be a reactivation of virus. If they did not suffered from chicken pox earlier, then children can get shingles by contracting from the affected persons as this disease is contagious.

Shingles can result into following complications:
- Ophthalmic shingles, loss of vision
- Encephalitis
- Bacterial skin infections
- Paralysis
- Postherpetic neuralgia
- Ramsay Hunt syndrome

Vaccines can mainly help in the prevention of shingles. Shingrix and varivax are the approved vaccines, which can help in the prevention of shingles and chickenpox, respectively. You can also prevent the spread of shingles by avoiding direct contact with affected persons.