What every adult over 50 needs to know about shingles (and chickenpox, too)

You’ve probably heard of shingles. It’s a painful, blistering rash caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus responsible for chickenpox. For many, shingles may seem like a distant concern, something you don’t need to worry about until it happens.

However, understanding how shingles works is essential to preventing it as you age. In fact, nearly one in three people in the U.S. will develop shingles at some point in their lives, and older adults are most at risk. Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself.

What is shingles?

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. After you recover from chickenpox, the virus doesn’t leave your body entirely. Instead, it lies dormant in nerve tissues. In some cases, it can reactivate later in life as shingles. This reactivation typically occurs in people over 50 or those with weakened immune systems.

While anyone who has had chickenpox can develop shingles, it becomes more common with age, and the risk increases significantly after age 50. The good news? There are ways to protect yourself and reduce your risk.

Why adults 50 and older are more at risk

As you age, your immune system naturally weakens, making it harder for your body to keep the varicella-zoster virus in check. This is why shingles is more likely to affect older adults, especially those over 50. Conditions like diabetes, cancer, or even stress can also play a role in triggering a shingles outbreak.

Additionally, medications that suppress the immune system — such as those used for autoimmune conditions or following organ transplants — can further increase the risk of developing shingles.

Recognizing shingles symptoms

Shingles often starts with pain, tingling, or itching on one side of the body, followed by the appearance of a red rash and fluid-filled blisters. The rash typically appears on the torso but can show up on other parts of the body, including the face. Some people experience severe pain without developing a rash. For others, shingles can lead to complications like vision loss (if it affects the eyes) or postherpetic neuralgia, a condition where the pain continues long after the rash clears.

Here are common signs and symptoms to watch for:

• Pain, burning, or tingling on one side of the body
• Red rash that appears a few days after the pain
• Blisters that can scab over in 7 to 10 days
• Fever, headache, or fatigue

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to contact your doctor as soon as possible. Early treatment with antiviral medications can shorten the duration and lessen the severity of shingles.

The connection to chickenpox

Shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same virus — VZV. After you recover from chickenpox, the virus remains inactive in your body but can reactivate years later. While shingles itself isn’t contagious, the fluid in shingles blisters can spread the virus to others who haven’t had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine, potentially causing them to develop chickenpox. This is another reason why early treatment and proper care of shingles blisters are so important.

If you’ve never had chickenpox or received the vaccine, avoiding contact with someone who has shingles can help reduce your risk of exposure.

Prevention: The shingles vaccine

The best way to prevent shingles is through vaccination. The shingles vaccine (Shingrix) is recommended for healthy adults aged 50 and older. It’s given in two doses and is more than 90% effective at preventing shingles and its complications.

Even if you’ve had shingles before, you can still get the vaccine to help prevent future outbreaks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommends vaccination even if you don’t recall having chickenpox. Since over 99% of Americans born before 1980 have had chickenpox, it’s assumed that most people are at risk for shingles.

Treatment options for shingles

If you do develop shingles, the key to managing it effectively is early treatment. Antiviral medications like acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir can help shorten the length of the illness and reduce the risk of complications like nerve pain, skin infections, and hearing and vision problems. These medications work best if started within three days of the appearance of symptoms.

In addition to antiviral treatment, your doctor may recommend pain relievers, cool compresses, or soothing lotions to help manage discomfort. For those who develop postherpetic neuralgia, prescription medications may be necessary to control long-term pain.

Take action

If you’re over 50, it’s important to talk to your health care provider about your risk for shingles and whether the shingles vaccine is right for you. While there’s no way to predict who will develop shingles, taking preventive steps like getting vaccinated can go a long way in protecting your health.

By staying informed, recognizing symptoms early, and taking advantage of available treatments, you can minimize your shingles risk and stay healthier longer. Don’t wait until shingles strikes. Talk to your doctor about your risk today.