Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhy It RecursRisk FactorsSymptomsPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Why It Recurs
Risk Factors
Symptoms
Prevention
Estimates vary as to how common recurrence is. Some populations, including those that are immunocompromised, are more prone to it. One wide-ranging study found that as many as 5% of those who experience the condition develop it again within eight years.
Clearly, it’s worth looking at why this happens, what the risk factors are, as well as how to prevent shingles relapse.
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Shingles, and all subsequent relapses, are essentially a reactivation of virus already present in the body.Treatment and the body’s own immunity typically succeed in managing the condition and stopping issues from cropping up again. However, having had shingles is no guarantee that you won’t have it again. There’s always a risk of relapse.
How Long Between Shingles Attack and Recurrence?The time between an initial shingles case and its relapse can vary a great deal, and there is no established figure. However, researchers have noted most of these flare-ups arise in the four- to eight-year window following an initial attack. Recurrence within three years is much rarer.Factors such as overall health status and the presence of other diseases can spur attacks, and there are preventative medications and approaches.
How Long Between Shingles Attack and Recurrence?
The time between an initial shingles case and its relapse can vary a great deal, and there is no established figure. However, researchers have noted most of these flare-ups arise in the four- to eight-year window following an initial attack. Recurrence within three years is much rarer.Factors such as overall health status and the presence of other diseases can spur attacks, and there are preventative medications and approaches.
The time between an initial shingles case and its relapse can vary a great deal, and there is no established figure. However, researchers have noted most of these flare-ups arise in the four- to eight-year window following an initial attack. Recurrence within three years is much rarer.
Factors such as overall health status and the presence of other diseases can spur attacks, and there are preventative medications and approaches.
Having shingles more than once is comparatively rare, although some people are at a greater risk of relapse. The chances directly relate to the overall state of the immune system, with those who are immunocompromised especially prone to relapse.
The following have been identified as specific recurrence risk factors:
Are there differences between episodes? Recurrences lead to the same class of symptoms, however the specific location of the rash will be different. Notably, too, blistering associated with relapse can make skin particularly sensitive and painful to the touch.
Is Treating Relapse the Same?The approaches to treating shingles and any relapse are the same. In the latter case, healthcare providers may become particularly interested in isolating the cause of the weakened immunity that’s causing the recurrence. That said, there is no outright cure for this disease, so treatment focuses on managing symptoms.These approaches include:Antiviral medications, such as Zovirax (acyclovir), famciclovir, and Valtrex (valacyclovir), can help, especially if given within 72 hours of symptom onset.Over-the-counter drugslike Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Motrin or Advil (ibuprofen) can also help manage discomfort and pain.Compresses and creamsare among other approaches that help relieve itching; these include applying wet compresses, using calamine lotion, and taking colloidal oatmeal baths.
Is Treating Relapse the Same?
The approaches to treating shingles and any relapse are the same. In the latter case, healthcare providers may become particularly interested in isolating the cause of the weakened immunity that’s causing the recurrence. That said, there is no outright cure for this disease, so treatment focuses on managing symptoms.These approaches include:Antiviral medications, such as Zovirax (acyclovir), famciclovir, and Valtrex (valacyclovir), can help, especially if given within 72 hours of symptom onset.Over-the-counter drugslike Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Motrin or Advil (ibuprofen) can also help manage discomfort and pain.Compresses and creamsare among other approaches that help relieve itching; these include applying wet compresses, using calamine lotion, and taking colloidal oatmeal baths.
The approaches to treating shingles and any relapse are the same. In the latter case, healthcare providers may become particularly interested in isolating the cause of the weakened immunity that’s causing the recurrence. That said, there is no outright cure for this disease, so treatment focuses on managing symptoms.
These approaches include:
What can you do toprevent shingles from relapsing? The approaches here can be broken into self-care to boost immunity, and taking a vaccine. Here’s a quick breakdown of some methods of the former:
Along with the above, vaccination is an option to prevent shingles relapse. In the United States, the primary approach is Shingrix (recombinant zoster vaccine). This two-dose treatment—injected into the upper arm between two and six months apart—is 90% effective in preventing relapse and is recommended for all adults above 50.
Until recently, an older option, Zostavax, was recommended for seniors to vaccinate against shingles. However, this medication is significantly less effective than Shingrix and, as of November 2020, has been discontinued in the United States.
A Word From Verywell
While there are effective means of preventing and managing shingles—and while an overwhelming majority of those who experience it only do so once—it’s always a good idea to be vigilant and mindful of this infection. While it can be tempting to believe that you’re in the clear if you’ve already had it, this is simply not the case.
An awareness of what can lead to a recurrence of shingles, as well as what can be done about it, will help prepare you for this possibility. If you suspect that this condition is coming back, don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider for help. The more proactive you are about your health, the better off you’ll be.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yawn B, Wollan P, Kurland M, St. Sauver J, Saddier P.Herpes zoster recurrences more frequent than previously reported.Mayo Clin Proc. 2011;86(2):88-93. doi:10.4065/mcp.2010.0618Parlikar U.Shingles can strike twice. Will the shingles vaccine help?Harvard Health Blog.Kim Y, Lee C, Lee M et al.Recurrence rate of herpes zoster and its risk factors: a population-based cohort study.J Korean Med Sci. 2019;34(2). doi:10.3346/jkms.2019.34.e1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About shingles (herpes zoster).Cleveland Clinic.Shingles (herpes zoster): symptoms, treatment & prevention.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What everyone should know about zostavax.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yawn B, Wollan P, Kurland M, St. Sauver J, Saddier P.Herpes zoster recurrences more frequent than previously reported.Mayo Clin Proc. 2011;86(2):88-93. doi:10.4065/mcp.2010.0618Parlikar U.Shingles can strike twice. Will the shingles vaccine help?Harvard Health Blog.Kim Y, Lee C, Lee M et al.Recurrence rate of herpes zoster and its risk factors: a population-based cohort study.J Korean Med Sci. 2019;34(2). doi:10.3346/jkms.2019.34.e1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About shingles (herpes zoster).Cleveland Clinic.Shingles (herpes zoster): symptoms, treatment & prevention.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What everyone should know about zostavax.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Yawn B, Wollan P, Kurland M, St. Sauver J, Saddier P.Herpes zoster recurrences more frequent than previously reported.Mayo Clin Proc. 2011;86(2):88-93. doi:10.4065/mcp.2010.0618Parlikar U.Shingles can strike twice. Will the shingles vaccine help?Harvard Health Blog.Kim Y, Lee C, Lee M et al.Recurrence rate of herpes zoster and its risk factors: a population-based cohort study.J Korean Med Sci. 2019;34(2). doi:10.3346/jkms.2019.34.e1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About shingles (herpes zoster).Cleveland Clinic.Shingles (herpes zoster): symptoms, treatment & prevention.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What everyone should know about zostavax.
Yawn B, Wollan P, Kurland M, St. Sauver J, Saddier P.Herpes zoster recurrences more frequent than previously reported.Mayo Clin Proc. 2011;86(2):88-93. doi:10.4065/mcp.2010.0618
Parlikar U.Shingles can strike twice. Will the shingles vaccine help?Harvard Health Blog.
Kim Y, Lee C, Lee M et al.Recurrence rate of herpes zoster and its risk factors: a population-based cohort study.J Korean Med Sci. 2019;34(2). doi:10.3346/jkms.2019.34.e1
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About shingles (herpes zoster).
Cleveland Clinic.Shingles (herpes zoster): symptoms, treatment & prevention.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What everyone should know about zostavax.
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