How to Protect Yourself from Shingles

No one likes having an itching rash. All the more, most people wouldn’t ever want to have a burning, blistering rash. Those are just a few of the symptoms of shingles, a nasty viral skin infection you might have if you’ve ever had chickenpox.

Shingles is a dermatological condition caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus—the same virus that causes chickenpox. While it is more common in adults over 50, anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk of developing shingles.

The good news? You can take steps to protect yourself. Understanding its symptoms, risks, and preventive measures can help protect you and your loved ones.

What is Shingles?

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection that causes a painful rash, often accompanied by nerve pain and other complications. In Southeast Asia, approximately 10.2 million cases of shingles could occur during the remaining lifetimes of people ages 50 and above. It occurs when the varicella-zoster virus (VZV)—the virus that causes chickenpox—reactivates in the body. After recovering from chickenpox, the virus doesn’t completely disappear; instead, it lies dormant in nerve tissues near the spinal cord and brain. The name “shingles” comes from the Latin word cingulum, meaning belt or girdle. This is indicative of the characteristic rash pattern, often appearing as a band or strip on one side of the body. The rash follows the path of affected nerves, typically wrapping around the torso, but it can also appear on the face, neck, or other areas. Shingles can be a painful and serious condition, sometimes leading to long-term nerve pain known as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and other complications.

Are Shingles Contagious?

You can’t catch shingles from someone else—but the virus that causes it can spread. If you’ve had chickenpox, the VZV remains dormant in your body and can reactivate later in life as shingles. However, there’s a risk of transmission to those who have never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine. If they come into direct contact with the fluid from shingles blisters, they won’t get shingles, but they could develop chickenpox instead. This is why people with shingles should take precautions, especially around newborns, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems.

“At first, I thought it was just a rash.
Then, out of nowhere, the pain hit me like an electric shock. It was unbearable,”

Some risk factors that increase the chance of getting shingles: