Meredith Burr, a Newport News human-resources administrator who contracted shingles three weeks ago, announced Tuesday that she is 'completely fed up' with explaining what the illness is. 'For the last time, shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash similar to chicken pox,' Burr said. 'The medical term is herpes zoster, and it usually lasts from two to five weeks. Now will you leave me alone? My skin is burning.' Burr added that shingles should not be confused with piles, rickets, scurvy, or the gout. 