6 myths and truths about shingles
Think shingles is just a grown-up version of chickenpox? Think again. Here’s what adults over 50 need to know about this painful virus, and how to prevent it.
Shingles is no small matter.
Some people think of it as just a more grown-up version of chickenpox, caused by the same virus. In reality, shingles is much more than that.
The large, red, fluid-filled blisters that appear on your torso are not just unsightly. They’re also incredibly painful. Even a mild case can hurt, and the complications can last for years. Think vision or hearing loss, or even chronic nerve pain.
Since one in three adults is likely to develop shingles, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s not a risk worth taking. The good news? You can lower your odds with a simple vaccine. Here’s the truth behind some common myths about shingles, so you can protect yourself.
Fact: If you’ve had chickenpox, you’re at risk for shingles.
Shingles and chickenpox come from the same virus: varicella zoster. Once you’ve had chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in your body. It can reactivate years later when your immune system weakens, often due to aging, stress, or other health conditions.
If you don’t remember having chickenpox, you’re not off the hook. Around 99% of Americans born before 1980 have had it.
Fact: Shingles is more than a rash.
The first sign of shingles is often pain, not a rash. Your skin might feel sensitive or tender before the rash even appears. Once it does, it’s typically a red, blistering line along one side of your torso. But it can show up anywhere on your body.
The pain can be intense, even before the rash emerges. Other symptoms might include fever, headaches, or fatigue.
Fiction: Shingles pain disappears once the rash is gone.
The rash might heal in a few weeks, but the pain can linger for months or even years. A condition called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) affects at least one in 10 people with shingles, according to the CDC.
PHN can be debilitating, causing chronic pain that impacts daily life, sleep, and mental health. Older adults are especially at risk.
Complications don’t stop there. Shingles near the eye can lead to serious vision issues.
Fact: Shingles can be contagious.
While you can’t “catch” shingles, the virus in the blisters can cause chickenpox in someone who’s never had it or hasn’t been vaccinated.
If you have an active shingles outbreak, avoid contact with anyone who might be vulnerable, including unvaccinated kids and pregnant people.
Fact: Early treatment can help reduce complications.
Shingles usually resolves within a few weeks, but that doesn’t mean you should wait it out. If you notice tingling or pain on your skin, call your doctor immediately.
Starting antiviral medications like valacyclovir (Valtrex) within 48 hours of symptoms can reduce the severity of your outbreak and lower the risk of complications.
Fact: You can prevent shingles with a vaccine.
The best way to protect yourself is with the Shingrix vaccine, which is recommended for adults 50 and older, even those who have already had shingles. It’s also advised for younger adults with weakened immune systems.
Shingrix is highly effective: 97% for healthy adults aged 50 to 69, and 91% for those 70 and older. Plus, it greatly reduces the chance of developing PHN.
The vaccine is given in two doses, with the second dose administered 2 to 6 months after the first (or 1 to 2 months for those with weakened immune systems).
Side effects, such as a sore arm or mild flu-like symptoms, usually last only a day or two. That’s a small inconvenience compared to the pain and complications of shingles.
The bottom line: Protect yourself from shingles with the Shingrix vaccine. It’s the best step you can take to avoid a painful illness and the complications that could impact your quality of life.
