The Truth About Shingles

The Truth About Shingles [Bulletin date: February 23, 2025]

There are many myths surrounding the diagnosis of shingles. Here are a few facts to know:

Shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same virus but are not the same illness. Once someone has had chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the body and may later emerge as shingles.
Shingles is more common in older adults but anyone with a weakened immune system is susceptible to this condition. Stress may also trigger the virus to reactivate.
The open blisters of the rash cannot pass on shingles, but they can spread the chicken pox virus to someone who has never had chicken pox, never been vaccinated against it, or has a weakened immune system. Shingles cannot be passed from one person to another.
A shingles rash is blistery and painful, can last about a month, and is usually seen as patches on one side of the body.
About 40% of people who get shingles feel a burning, shooting pain for months or years after the rash is gone.
Taking prescription anti-viral medications within the first 3 days after the rash appears may ease the pain and help lessen the duration of shingles. The earlier you start, the better it works.
Shingles may return and affect a different part of the body.
Getting the shingles shot may help prevent or lessen the severity of shingles. It is recommended that healthy adults 50 years and older get the shingles vaccine.