I had an attack of shingles a few years ago. Whole side looked and felt like hell for about 3 months. Doc told me I was lucky, that I only had a “mild” case. Hate to have a severe case.
The article says there is a vaccine for shingles but that it is expensive.
Had it in the genital area while making a 500 mile drive home when I was in my 40’s. Painful but not as painful as a herniated disc or kidney stone. BTW they treated me with an anti viral and it worked pretty well.