It might begin as a strange burning sensation or tingling on your skin — easy to brush off, at first. But within days, that discomfort could turn into a painful, blistering rash. This is shingles, a condition far more serious than many realize, and one that can affect your body long after the rash has faded.
Whether you’re looking to protect yourself or support someone going through it, here’s what you need to know about this often misunderstood illness — including its symptoms, risk factors, and the preventative steps that can make all the difference.
What Exactly Is Shingles?
Shingles, medically known as herpes zoster, is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus responsible for chickenpox. If you had chickenpox as a child, that virus didn’t disappear. Instead, it went dormant, hiding out in your nerve tissue, possibly for decades.
But under the right conditions — especially when your immune system is weakened — the virus can reactivate as shingles, bringing intense nerve pain and a rash that often wraps around one side of the torso.
Who’s Most at Risk?
Not everyone who had chickenpox will develop shingles, but certain factors raise the risk significantly. These include:
- Adults over the age of 50
- People with weakened immune systems, such as those with cancer, HIV, or undergoing chemotherapy
- Individuals recovering from illness or trauma
- People under chronic stress
- Organ transplant recipients
Even healthy individuals can develop shingles, but those with compromised immunity or heightened stress are particularly vulnerable.
Early Symptoms to Watch For
Before the rash even appears, shingles often announces itself with subtle signs, including:
- Fatigue
- Fever and chills
- Sensitivity to light
- Headache
- Stomach discomfort
Within a few days, more visible symptoms appear:
- A tingling, burning, or itching sensation on one side of the body
- Redness in a localized skin area
- Raised, fluid-filled blisters that eventually crust over
- Pain — which can range from mild to severe and persist even after the rash fades
Shingles Isn’t Always Skin-Deep: Know the Complications
The painful rash is only one part of the story. In some cases, shingles can lead to serious health issues, including:
- Postherpetic neuralgia — long-lasting nerve pain in the affected area
- Bacterial skin infections from open blisters
- Vision problems or eye damage (if shingles affects the face)
- In rare cases, neurological complications, including brain or spinal cord inflammation
Prompt treatment is essential to reduce the risk of these outcomes.
Is There a Way to Prevent Shingles?
Yes — and it’s recommended for many adults. The Shingrix vaccine (recombinant zoster vaccine or RZV) has been shown to dramatically reduce both the risk of developing shingles and its potential complications.
Healthcare providers typically recommend vaccination for:
- Adults 50 years and older
- Adults 19+ with compromised immune systems
Ask your doctor whether you’re a good candidate for the vaccine — especially if you’ve had chickenpox or aren’t sure about your past exposure.
Treatment: What to Do If You Get Shingles
While there’s no cure that eliminates the virus entirely, early treatment can help control symptoms and shorten the duration of illness.
Antiviral medications are most effective when started within 72 hours of rash onset:
- Acyclovir
- Famciclovir
- Valacyclovir
These drugs can reduce the intensity of symptoms and help prevent complications like nerve pain. Additional treatments may include:
- Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol
- Anti-inflammatory medications (like prednisone) for facial shingles
- Antibiotics, if a secondary infection develops
Note: Never self-diagnose or treat shingles without medical advice.
Is Shingles Contagious?
Shingles itself isn’t contagious — but the virus is.
If someone with an active shingles outbreak has close contact with a person who’s never had chickenpox (or hasn’t been vaccinated for it), that person can catch the virus and develop chickenpox, not shingles.
To prevent spreading the virus:
- Keep the rash covered
- Avoid physical contact with pregnant women, infants, or immunocompromised individuals
- Wash your hands frequently
Final Thought: Know the Signs, Protect Your Health
Shingles is often underestimated — until someone experiences it firsthand. The pain, fatigue, and possible complications can disrupt daily life, especially for older adults or those already managing other health concerns.
But you’re not powerless. With early awareness, timely medical care, and preventive measures like vaccination, you can reduce your risk and protect your quality of life.
If you’ve had chickenpox, it’s worth knowing what’s hiding in your nerves — and how to stop it from reactivating when you least expect it.