Shingles is an infection of a nerve and the skin around it. It is caused by the herpes varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox.
Shingles usually affects a specific area on either the left or right side of the body and does not cross over the midline of the body (an imaginary line running from between your eyes, down past the belly button). It causes a painful rash which develops into itchy blisters.
Most people will feel unwell for several days before the rash appears.
Your GP can diagnose shingles based on your symptoms and the appearance of the rash.
Read more information about the symptoms of shingles.
What causes shingles?
Most people have chickenpox in childhood, but after the illness has gone, the virus remains dormant (inactive) in the nervous system. The immune system (the body’s natural defence system) keeps the virus in check, but later in life it can be reactivated and cause shingles.
It is not known exactly why the shingles virus is reactivated at a later stage in life, but it may be due to having lowered immunity (protection against infections and diseases). This may be the result of:
- being older
- being stressed
- a condition that affects your immune system, such as HIV and AIDS
Read more information about the causes of shingles.
Treating shingles
There is no cure for shingles and it can be unpleasant. In most cases, the painful rash lasts 7 to 10 days and takes two to four weeks to fully heal.
However, there are medicines available to treat the pain and some people may also be prescribed antiviral medication to help stop the virus multiplying.
Read more information about how shingles is treated.
Complications
Shingles can lead to complications, such as postherpetic neuralgia. This is where severe nerve pain lasts for more than three months after the rash has gone.
It is estimated that postherpetic neuralgia affects at least 1 in 10 people with shingles. It is more common in older people, and affects around a third of people over 80 who have shingles.
Read more information about the complications of shingles.
Who is affected?
It is estimated that 3 in every 1,000 people get shingles in the UK every year.
Shingles can occur at any age, but is most common in people who are over 50 years of age. Shingles is much less common in children.
Can shingles be prevented?
It’s not always possible to prevent shingles, but a vaccine called Zostavax can reduce your chances of developing the condition by about 40%.
Currently, this vaccine is only licensed for use in people aged 50 and over, although it can be used ‘off-label‘ for people younger than this if a doctor feels it’s suitable.
If a GP decides vaccination is appropriate, it can be prescribed on the NHS. In other cases, the vaccine will need to be given at a private clinic. Private vaccination is likely to cost £150-200.
From September 2013, people aged 70 will be routinely offered the shingles vaccine on the NHS, with a catch-up programme for people aged 71 to 79.
