Shingles Awareness Week: Stay Informed, Stay Protected
- Shivani Munjal
- Feb 28
- 2 min read
Did you know that shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox? If you've ever had chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in your body and can reactivate later in life, leading to shingles. With nearly 98% of U.S. adults carrying the virus, the risk is widespread, making awareness and prevention crucial.
Understanding Shingles: More Than Just a Rash
Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a painful viral infection that can develop on one side of the face or body. It often starts with itching, tingling, or burning, followed by a blistering rash. But the pain doesn’t always end when the rash fades—many people suffer from post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a nerve pain that can last for months or even years.
Other symptoms of shingles include:
Fever and chills
Headaches
Muscle weakness
Vision or hearing problems (if the virus affects the eyes or ears)
Skin infections and scarring in severe cases
How Common Is Shingles?
1 in 3 people in the U.S. will experience shingles in their lifetime.
Half of those aged 85+ will develop it at some point.
Annually, around 1 million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with shingles.
4% of cases require hospitalization, mostly among older adults and those with weakened immune systems.
Who Should Be Concerned?
Shingles can strike at any age, but the risk increases as you get older. That’s why medical experts recommend the shingles vaccine for all healthy adults over 50 and for those 19+ with weakened immune systems due to medical conditions or treatments.
Even if you’ve had shingles before, you’re still at risk of getting it again. The best way to prevent shingles is by getting vaccinated.
Treatment Options: What to Do If You Get Shingles
If you think you have shingles, act fast—antiviral medications work best when started early. These medications can help reduce the severity and length of the illness.
Other ways to manage symptoms include:
✅ Over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers
✅ Cool compresses, calamine lotion, or oatmeal baths for itching relief
✅ Staying hydrated and getting plenty of rest
Shingles Awareness: Taking Control of Your Health
Shingles is more than a skin condition—it’s a potentially debilitating disease that can cause long-term pain and complications. Prevention is key. By staying informed and getting vaccinated, you can lower your chances of developing shingles and avoid unnecessary suffering.
The information provided here is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal, insurance, financial or any other professional advice.