Shingles isn’t a fun viral infection. The bad news is that there is no exact cure for the ailment. The good news is that you can remedy the pain. What Is It? Shingles, or herpes zoster, causes a painful rash. If you had chickenpox, the virus sits dormant in your body. For reasons unknown, it can come back to life, causing a rash. The rash can occur anywhere. It often pops up in small sections on your skin. Many people experience a lot of pain in the affected area. The virus can last between two and six weeks. It isn’t life-threatening, but it is a hassle for many people. Sometimes when the fibers in the nerves get damaged, the pain will last for months after the virus clears.