Shingles
[ˈshiŋ-gəlz]
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Shingles, also called herpes zoster, is a painful skin rash. Shingles can lead to severe nerve pain that can last for months or years after the rash goes away. Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus—the same virus that causes chickenpox. If you’ve ever had chickenpox, you can get shingles. Almost 1 out of 3 people in the United States will develop shingles in their lifetime. You can get shingles at any age, but it's more common in older adults. Older adults also are more likely to have severe disease. CDC recommends that people age 60 or older get the shingles vaccine.
Quiz
Key Facts
- Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus—the same virus that causes chickenpox.
- An estimated 1 million people get shingles each year in the United States.
- You can get shingles at any age, but it is more common in people age 60 or older.
- People with shingles cannot spread shingles to others, but they can spread the virus and cause chickenpox.
- Shingles vaccine is recommended for people age 60 or older to protect against shingles and the long-term pain that it can cause.
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First, a person may have pain, itching, or tingling in one area of the body. About 1 to 5 days later, a rash will appear in that area. The rash consists of blisters that usually scab over in 7 to 10 days and clear up in 2 to 4 weeks. The rash is usually limited to one side of the body. Shingles can also cause fever, headache, chills, and upset stomach.
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Shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same virus. It is called varicella zoster virus. Once you’ve had chickenpox, the virus stays in your body. Years later, the virus can reactivate and cause shingles.
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The varicella zoster virus can be found in the blisters caused by shingles. If you have direct contact with the blister fluid, you can get infected with the virus. A person with shingles can spread the virus that causes this disease to others who don’t have immunity against chickenpox. Once infected, they will develop chickenpox, not shingles.
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Some people develop severe nerve pain that can last for months or years after the shingles rash goes away. This is called postherpetic neuralgia. It’s the most common complication of shingles. Shingles may also lead to serious eye problems, pneumonia, hearing loss, blindness, brain inflammation, or death.
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About half of all cases of shingles occur in men and women age 60 years or older. Also, older adults are more likely to suffer from severe nerve pain that can last for months or years after the shingles rash goes away. People who have compromised immune systems, caused by certain cancers, infections, or drugs, are also at higher risk of getting shingles.
Prevention Tips
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CDC recommends that people age 60 or older get one dose of the shingles vaccine.
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People who have a weakened immune system should talk to their healthcare provider to see if it is safe for them to get the shingles vaccine.
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People who have previously had shingles should still get the vaccine to help prevent future occurrences of the disease.
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Shingles vaccine is available in pharmacies and doctors’ offices. Talk with your healthcare provider if you have questions about the shingles vaccine.
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If you have shingles, don’t touch the rash, and keep it covered. Until the rash crusts over, stay away from pregnant women who aren’t protected against chickenpox, premature infants, and people with weakened immune systems.
- Page last reviewed: March 3, 2016
- Page last updated: March 3, 2016
- Content source:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Page maintained by: Office of Associate Director of Communication, Division of Public Affairs