Shingles: Symptoms
The early onset of shingles may produce flu-like symptoms including chills and upset stomach, followed by:

• Bruised feeling on one side of the face or body.

• Tingling, itching, or prickling skin and an inflamed, red skin rash.

• A group or long strip of small, fluid-filled blisters.

• Deep burning, searing, aching, or stabbing pain, which may be continuous or intermittent.

Shingles develops in three stages:

• Prodromal: The flu-like period before the rash appears.
• Active: The period of active infection (anywhere from 2- 6 weeks) in which a rash of painful blisters is present.
• Postherpetic: This chronic pain stage which may continue for months or even years after the blisters heal.