Two doses of recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV Shingrix) are recommended by the CDC for those aged over 50. Photograph used for representational purposes only
| Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
What is shingles?
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is caused by the varicella-zoster virus responsible for chickenpox. Varicella-zoster (VZV) is among the group of viruses called the herpes viruses, according to information on the Mayo Clinic’s website. The virus that causes chickenpox and shingles however, are not the same as the one that cause cold sores or genital herpes, a sexually transmitted infection. The Centres for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention says one in every three people in the United States of America will have shingles in their lifetime.
Also Read:Global survey shows many over 50 in India are unaware of shingles disease despite being at risk
Who is at risk for shingles?
A person who has had chickenpox will harbour the virus for life. The virus remains inactive for years and sometimes is reactivated and travels along the nervous system when the immune system weakens. Typically, people over the age of 50, pregnant women, newborns and older persons are at risk. People who are under radiation or chemotherapy for cancer will have a lowered immune system also putting them at risk. Those who are on immunosuppressants following transplantation or on steroids for a long time are also at higher risk.
Shingles can appear as a single stripe of blisters anywhere on the body, including the face. The infection can spread to a person who has never had chickenpox earlier and cause chickenpox in them.
What are the symptoms?
The infection is not life-threatening, but it can be extremely painful. The symptoms include pain, a burning and tingling sensation and itching followed by red rashes. The rashes develop into blisters filled with fluid which break, and scabs form. Shingles is contagious until the blisters break. Doctors advise people with shingles to isolate themselves and to take plenty of rest. The clothes and towels they use should be washed separately.
A person with shingles may have fever, headache, fatigue and experience sensitivity to light. If the rashes appear near the eye, it is important to see the doctor and seek treatment to avoid permanent damage to the eye.
To prevent spreading the infection, the CDC advises covering the rash. Avoid scratching it and wash hands often for 20 seconds at a time, besides practicing self-isolation. The pain and the rash will settle in three to five weeks and the blisters do not leave scars.
What are the complications shingles could cause?
The CDC says shingles can sometime lead to serious complications such as long-term nerve pain and loss of sight. In some people, the pain may persist even after the blisters have cleared. This condition is called postherpetic neuralgia. This could be due to pain signals being sent from the skin to the brain by damaged nerve fibers, according to Mayo Clinic. If shingles occur in or around the eye, known as ophthalmic shingles, it can cause painful eye infections, resulting in loss of sight. Some people could also experience neurological problems such as encephalitis (inflammation in the brain), facial paralysis or have hearing and balance issues. When the blisters are not treated properly, they could lead to bacterial infections.
What are the treatment modalities?
People at risk could get vaccinated. Two doses of recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV Shingrix) are recommended by the CDC for those aged over 50. The vaccination would reduce the virulence of the infection even if it were to occur. Vaccination is recommended for anyone over 19 years with a weakened immune system. According to the National Institute on Ageing the shingles vaccine is more than 90% effective at preventing the disease.
Published – April 28, 2025 07:50 pm IST