Can shingles spread to the brain?

In rare cases, shingles may spread to the brain, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. If the disease does spread to the brain, it can cause symptoms such as inflammation and pain around the eyes, intense ear pain and dry mouth, notes WebMD.

Shingles is the reactivation of the virus that causes chicken pox, states the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. When the itchy red spots associated with chicken pox disappear, the virus remains dormant inside of the body. As of 2015, doctors are unsure why the dormant virus becomes active. A person can only get shingles if they have previously had chicken pox, and most adults never develop the disease at all.