Want to know more about Shingles?

By Alpro Pharmacy

November 8, 2024

What is Shingles?

Shingles is a painful skin rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. If you’ve had chickenpox before, this virus stays inactive in your body and can reactivate later in life, causing shingles. The rash usually appears as a strip of red blisters on one side of your body.

Can you get Shingles more than once?

Yes, it’s possible to experience shingles multiple times. A common misconception is that shingles occurs just once, but that is not the case. Individuals can have several occurrence. When shingles reoccur, the rash typically appears in a different location.

The symptoms of Shingles

The most significant symptom of shingles is severe pain that can feel like a burning or electric shock sensation. This pain can be relentless and may affect your daily activities, making even simple tasks feel unbearable. Soon after the pain begins, a rash typically appears, transforming into itchy blisters that resemble chickenpox.

But the danger of shingles doesn’t stop there. Days before the rash shows up, you might experience worrisome symptoms, including intense headaches and a burning or tingling sensation in the area where the rash will develop.

You may also feel generally unwell, with fatigue and a high fever that leaves you drained. Shingles is not just a rash; it can cause debilitating pain and disrupt your daily life, making it a condition you definitely want to avoid.

Who are at the risk of Shingles?

Shingles can develop at any age, though the risk is higher if you’re:
– Age 50 and above
– Have a weakened immune system
– Had chickenpox

“Approximately 1 in 3 people will experience shingles at some point in their lives.”
(Source by cdc.gov)

What are the risk factors?

Cancer
Individuals who currently have cancer or have recently had it are at greater risk for shingles. They may also need to be hospitalized for severe complications. The risk is highest in the year after a cancer diagnosis, especially for those with blood cancers like leukemia or lymphoma.

HIV
People living with HIV are much more likely to develop shingles. This virus weakens the immune system, making it harder to fight off infections.

Diabetes
Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can increase the chances of getting shingles. This is because diabetes affects how the body produces insulin, which is important for managing blood sugar levels.

Immunosuppressive Treatments
Treatments that weaken the immune system, such as steroids for autoimmune diseases, can raise the risk of shingles. This includes people undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy and those who have recently had an organ or bone marrow transplant.

How can you prevent the Shingles?

Getting vaccinated can help keep you from developing severe shingles. The recombinant shingles vaccine helps prevent shingles and also protects against postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the most common complication of shingles. PHN causes long-lasting nerve pain in the areas where the shingles rash occurred. This pain can continue for months or even years after the rash has healed and can be very severe. Besides, adults aged 50 and older should receive the shingles vaccine. It’s also important to get vaccinated even if you have previously had shingles or chickenpox to prevent recurrence.

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