What is shingles?
Shingles is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. If you had chickenpox as a child, the virus responsible for it remains dormant in your body, only to resurface later in life as shingles. Shingles most commonly occurs in adults who are 50 and older. It is not a life-threatening infection.
Is shingles contagious?
Shingles is contagious, but only among people who have never been infected with chickenpox. If you have shingles, you can pass the infection to another individual through direct contact with the open sores caused by the shingles rash. The person who contracts the virus from you will not get shingles; instead, they’ll get chickenpox. You cannot directly pass shingles to someone who has already had shingles.
What are the symptoms of shingles?
The most common symptom of shingles is a painful red rash that develops on one side of your body. Not everyone with shingles will develop this rash, but if it does form, it’s unmistakable. In most cases, it looks like a stripe that reaches toward one side of your torso, and this stripe encompasses fluid-filled blisters that can break open and crust over. It’s also possible for the rash to form on your face, on the side of your neck or around one of your eyes. The rash can be more widespread and look similar to a chickenpox rash. Symptoms that accompany the shingles rash include, but are not limited to, fever, chills, fatigue, headache, light sensitivity, and upset stomach. Pain is typically the first symptom of shingles. Even if you don’t get a rash, you can still experience the pain associated with it.
Who is at risk of getting shingles?
If you are over the age of 50
• If you’ve previously been diagnosed with chickenpox
• If you have cancer, HIV/AIDS, or other diseases that weaken your immune system
• If you are currently undergoing radiation or chemotherapy
• If you take drugs that prevent the rejection of transplanted organs
What you need to know about the shingles vaccine
The shingles vaccine is designed to lower your risk of getting shingles, help reduce the severity of the infection and shorten its duration. You can get the vaccine if you have had chickenpox or shingles and even if you’re unsure if you had chickenpox during childhood. The shingles vaccine requires two separate doses. The second dose is administered approximately two to six months after the first.
Who should get the shingles vaccine?
• All healthy adults 50 years and older
• Adults 19 years and older who have a weakened immune system due to a disease or
a medication they take
Are there side effects to the shingles vaccine?
As with any vaccine, it is important to know the potential side effects. Some of the most common side effects of the shingles vaccine are injection site redness, pain, swelling, fatigue, and headache. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any concerning side effects after receiving the shingles vaccine.
Who should not get the shingles vaccine?
• Those who currently have shingles
• Those who have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine
• Pregnant women
Where can I get the shingles vaccine?
• Primary care provider
• Public health clinics
• Pharmacy that administers vaccines
Contact your primary care provider, public health clinic or preferred pharmacy for details about vaccinations and how to schedule an appointment.
