If you’re infected by shingles or harboring the virus, you probably won’t know it for a long time. The chances are you’ll carry the virus around for at least 10 years, possibly even 50 years or more, before it strikes. The virus hides in one of your organs—typically your liver—where it can’t be detected by your immune system. It bides its time until some traumatic physical or emotional event weakens you and/ or provides an environment that makes the virus stronger. Events such as financial stress or a broken heart can sometimes be enough to act as a trigger.
