Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRisk FactorsSigns and SymptomsTreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Risk Factors
Signs and Symptoms
Treatment
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
The idea that only older people should be concerned about getting shingles is untrue. Although the rate of shingles increases with age, it can occur at any age in a person who previously had a varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection, also known aschickenpox.
Shingles, also known asherpes zoster, is a viral infection that causes a painful rash and blisters on the skin. Some cases can lead to complications, such aspostherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a long-term condition that affects the nerve fibers of the skin where shingles occurred, causing pain.
Mixetto / Getty Images
Shingles occurs when VZV reemerges after a period of inactivity in the body. If you’ve had chickenpox, the virus stays in the body and can later become reactivated for reasons that are not fully understood.When VZV is reactivated, the condition it causes is known as shingles.
This article will provide an overview of shingles and explore theories that explain the rates of increase.
Incidence of ShinglesAbout 1 million cases of shingles, affecting about four out of 1,000 individuals, occur in the United States each year.
Incidence of Shingles
About 1 million cases of shingles, affecting about four out of 1,000 individuals, occur in the United States each year.
Risk Factors for Shingles
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in three people will develop shingles in their lifetime.Children who receive varicella (chickenpox) vaccination have a lower risk of later contracting shingles than those who do not. Despite this, certain factors can increase the risk of developing shingles.
These include:
Although shingles can be visible on any area of the body, it usually appears as a band on the trunk of the body or on one side of the face in the form a painful rash or blisters.You can get shingles once or, in rare cases, two or more times.
The signs and symptoms of shingles vary from person to person. Common signs and symptoms include:
Can You Get Shingles More Than Once?
Treatment and Management
Although shingles has no cure, it is important to seek medical attention when appropriate. If you suspect you have shingles and experience any of its associated signs and symptoms within the first three days, consult your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Antiviral medications work best when taken 24 to 48 hours after symptom onset.
Your healthcare provider will evaluate and determine the best course of treatment based on:
Common treatments for shingles and PHN include:
How to Prevent Shingles
The best way to prevent shingles is throughvaccinations. The CDC recommends individuals 50 years or older get two doses ofShingrix, a vaccine for shingles, which provides over 90% protection.
Shingrixis a recombinant vaccine, which means it is made from just a part of the virus and, therefore, the virus cannot replicate. The vaccine does not cause the infection itself. Shingrix also protects individuals against the complication of PHN.
Individuals who are 19 years or older and are immunocompromised should also receive two doses of Shingrix. However, the effectiveness of Shingrix varies if you are immunocompromised. Studies show a 68%–91% efficacy, with percentages differing based on the underlying health condition(s) you may have.
Who Should Get Shingrix?
The CDC recommends getting two doses of Shingrix if you:
You should not get Shingrix if you currently have shingles or are pregnant.
Should I Get the Shingles Vaccine?
Summary
According to the CDC, one in three people will develop shingles in their lifetime. Risk factors that can increase your risk for contracting shingles include your age, if you have an underlying health condition, and if you are immunocompromised.
The best way to prevent shingles is through vaccinations. The CDC recommends individuals 50 years or older and those who are 19 years or older who are immunocompromised get two doses of Shingrix for protection against shingles.
A Word From Verywell
Vaccine-acquired immunity (introduction of weakened or killed pathogens) from varicella vaccines is much safer than natural-acquired immunity (exposure to pathogens from the actual disease), as the symptoms of chickenpox can be serious to life-threatening.
As always, speak to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about the safety and efficacy of vaccines.
If you notice any symptoms of shingles, especially if you develop a rash, consult your healthcare provider within the first three days (72 hours). This is because antiviral medications that are used to treat shingles work best within 72 hours after developing a rash.
The first signs of shingles are skin irritation, tingling, sensitivity, itching, numbness, or pain on one side of the body. A rash and blisters indicate a more advanced form of the disease.Learn MoreSymptoms of Shingles
The first signs of shingles are skin irritation, tingling, sensitivity, itching, numbness, or pain on one side of the body. A rash and blisters indicate a more advanced form of the disease.
Learn MoreSymptoms of Shingles
Learn MoreHow Shingles is Treated
10 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.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Shingles facts and stats.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Shingles (herpes zoster).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview of shingles (herpes zoster).Haynes L.Aging of the immune system: research challenges to enhance the health span of older adults.Frontiers in Aging. 2020;0. doi:10.3389/fragi.2020.602108National Institute on Aging.Shingles.Johns Hopkins University.Shingles.Saguil A, Kane SF, Mercado MG, Lauters R.Herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia: prevention and management.American Family Physician. 2017;96(10):656-663.Maltz F, Fidler B.Shingrix: a new herpes zoster vaccine.P T. 2019;44(7):406-433.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Shingles.Gershon AA.Is chickenpox so bad, what do we know about immunity to varicella zoster virus, and what does it tell us about the future?J Infect. 2017;74 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S27-S33. doi:10.1016/S0163-4453(17)30188-3
10 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.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Shingles facts and stats.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Shingles (herpes zoster).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview of shingles (herpes zoster).Haynes L.Aging of the immune system: research challenges to enhance the health span of older adults.Frontiers in Aging. 2020;0. doi:10.3389/fragi.2020.602108National Institute on Aging.Shingles.Johns Hopkins University.Shingles.Saguil A, Kane SF, Mercado MG, Lauters R.Herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia: prevention and management.American Family Physician. 2017;96(10):656-663.Maltz F, Fidler B.Shingrix: a new herpes zoster vaccine.P T. 2019;44(7):406-433.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Shingles.Gershon AA.Is chickenpox so bad, what do we know about immunity to varicella zoster virus, and what does it tell us about the future?J Infect. 2017;74 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S27-S33. doi:10.1016/S0163-4453(17)30188-3
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.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Shingles facts and stats.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Shingles (herpes zoster).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview of shingles (herpes zoster).Haynes L.Aging of the immune system: research challenges to enhance the health span of older adults.Frontiers in Aging. 2020;0. doi:10.3389/fragi.2020.602108National Institute on Aging.Shingles.Johns Hopkins University.Shingles.Saguil A, Kane SF, Mercado MG, Lauters R.Herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia: prevention and management.American Family Physician. 2017;96(10):656-663.Maltz F, Fidler B.Shingrix: a new herpes zoster vaccine.P T. 2019;44(7):406-433.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Shingles.Gershon AA.Is chickenpox so bad, what do we know about immunity to varicella zoster virus, and what does it tell us about the future?J Infect. 2017;74 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S27-S33. doi:10.1016/S0163-4453(17)30188-3
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Shingles facts and stats.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Shingles (herpes zoster).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview of shingles (herpes zoster).
Haynes L.Aging of the immune system: research challenges to enhance the health span of older adults.Frontiers in Aging. 2020;0. doi:10.3389/fragi.2020.602108
National Institute on Aging.Shingles.
Johns Hopkins University.Shingles.
Saguil A, Kane SF, Mercado MG, Lauters R.Herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia: prevention and management.American Family Physician. 2017;96(10):656-663.
Maltz F, Fidler B.Shingrix: a new herpes zoster vaccine.P T. 2019;44(7):406-433.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Shingles.
Gershon AA.Is chickenpox so bad, what do we know about immunity to varicella zoster virus, and what does it tell us about the future?J Infect. 2017;74 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S27-S33. doi:10.1016/S0163-4453(17)30188-3
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
