Does Stress Increase My Risk of Shingles?

Yes, chronic stress can increase your risk of shingles. Long-term stress weakens the immune system, making it harder to keep the varicella-zoster virus inactive, which can lead to reactivation. Consult your doctor for more information.

What Are the Best Ways to Help Prevent Shingles?

The shingles vaccination is the best way to protect yourself, as it is over 90% effective in preventing herpes zoster and PHN in adults over 50 with a healthy immune system. Other precautions include avoiding contact with people who have chickenpox or shingles, especially if you haven't had chickenpox or the vaccination. Practicing good hand and cough hygiene also helps reduce the risk. Talk to your doctor for more information on shingles and its prevention.

How Does Vaccination Help Prevent Shingles Disease?

The shingles vaccination strengthens your immune system, helping it fight the shingles virus and prevent it from reactivating.

Is Shingles Vaccination Safe?

Yes, the shingles vaccination is safe and recommended for adults 50 and older. It may cause mild side effects like redness, swelling, or soreness that typically last 2-3 days. Consult your doctor if you have concerns.

How to Manage Shingles?

Treatment can help reduce the severity and duration of shingles disease. If you think you have herpes zoster, see your doctor as soon as possible. They may prescribe medication to weaken the virus and relieve pain. Here are some tips to manage symptoms: Keep the rash clean and dry to prevent infection Wear loose-fitting clothing Apply a cool compress a few times a day

SHINGLES AWARENESS

Understanding Shingles

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection that occurs when the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox (varicella), reactivates in the body. After recovering from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the nervous system and can resurface years later as shingles¹.

Check If You Are At Risk

Happy mature couple embracing with vitality and confidence

RECOGNISING THE SIGNS

Symptoms of Shingles

Shingles typically causes a painful rash that forms blisters in a stripe along one side of the body, following a nerve path. This rash can appear on the torso, arms, thighs, or head, including sensitive areas like the eyes or ears³. The pain associated with shingles is often described as burning, stabbing, or shock-like⁴. The pain can also interfere with daily activities or even sleeping⁵.

Woman experiencing sudden sharp headache and nerve pain

Electric Shocks

Woman holding side of body in severe stabbing pain

Piercing nails

Woman touching painful sensitive burning skin on knee

Boiling water burns

Mature Indian couple walking outdoors in a park

Diabetes

Diabetes affects blood sugar levels and weakens the immune system, increasing the risk of infections⁹,¹⁰. People with diabetes are more likely to develop shingles compared to those without the condition¹¹.

Cancer

People with cancer are almost twice as likely to get shingles⁶, especially those with blood-related cancers⁷. Some cancer treatments, like chemotherapy, radiation, and high-dose steroids, can also weaken the immune system, making it easier for the virus to reactivate⁸.

Asthma/COPD

Research shows that people with asthma and COPD have a higher chance of getting shingles, compared to healthy individuals¹².

Couple working at desk feeling stressed with nerve pain

Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN)

PHN can affect up to 25% of people with herpes zoster, causing long-lasting nerve pain that can persist for months or even years¹³.

Woman sleepless in bed due to eye and facial complications

Eye Complications (Ophthalmic Disease)

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) can occur in 50% of people with shingles and affects the eye or nose. About 30% may develop double vision, while rare cases causing serious optic nerve damage¹⁴.

Couple on sofa resting due to neurological fatigue and issues

Neurological Issues

In some rare cases, shingles can lead to neurological problems like encephalitis (brain swelling), which occurs in about 1% of cases¹⁵.

Man with back strain and hearing/balance issues outdoors

Hearing and Balance Problems

In rare cases, shingles can affect the ear, causing herpes zoster oticus. This may lead to hearing loss, vertigo, tinnitus, facial pain, and even facial paralysis (Ramsay Hunt Syndrome). Balance issues can occur in up to 1% of cases¹⁶.

This is not a complete list of health complications that can occur after shingles. Consult a doctor for more details.

TAKE ACTION

Pledge to Protect

I pledge to talk to my doctor about Shingles and its prevention.*

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*For 50 years or older

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Shingles disease is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. It remains dormant in the body and can reactivate years later ¹, usually due to aging ² or a weakened immune system ¹⁷, ¹⁸, leading to a painful, blistering rash ¹.

As people age, their immune system weakens, making it harder to keep the varicella-zoster virus inactive. This raises the risk of shingles in those aged 50 or older ², ¹⁷. Additionally, they are more likely to have complications like PHN ³.

You cannot catch shingles disease from someone who has it. However, if a person has never had chickenpox or the vaccination, the varicella-zoster virus can spread to them, causing chickenpox ¹⁹.

Shingles usually causes a painful rash that appears on one side of the body or face. It begins as red patches, then forms fluid-filled blisters that scab over within 7-10 days. The rash typically clears up within 2 to 4 weeks ²⁰.

Yes, chronic stress can increase your risk of shingles ²¹. Long-term stress weakens the immune system ²², making it harder to keep the varicella-zoster virus inactive, which can lead to reactivation ²¹. Consult your doctor for more information.

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