Shingles

Shingles

“Shingles is a painful rash illness.
People get shingles when the varicella-zoster virus (VZV),
which causes chickenpox, reactivates in their bodies…”.1

Umbrella

What may the Shingles Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Herpes Zoster
  • Shingles
  • Zoster

Definition

What is shingles?

DotS the definition of shingles may vary. The (United States) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) definition is:

“Shingles is a painful rash illness. People get shingles when the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which causes chickenpox, reactivates in their bodies after they have already had chickenpox”.2

Chickenpox

What is the association between chickenpox and shingles?

In Shingles (Herpes Zoster): About Singles (Herpes Zoster) – Causes and Spread the CDC elaborate on:

“Shingles is caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. Once a person has chickenpox, the virus stays in their body. The virus can reactivate later in life and cause shingles”.3

Spread or Not

Can you spread shingles to others?

In Shingles: Stay Away From Certain Groups of People If You Have Shingles the (United Kingdom) NHS note:

“You cannot spread shingles to others. But people could catch chickenpox from you if they have not had chickenpox before or have not had the chickenpox vaccine.

This is because shingles is caused by the chickenpox virus”.4

Catch or Not

Can you get shingles from someone with shingles or chickenpox?

In Shingles: Causes of Shingles the NHS explain:

“You cannot get shingles from someone with shingles or chickenpox.

But you can get chickenpox from someone with shingles if you have not had chickenpox before”.5

Common or Not

How common is shingles?

In Shingles (Herpes Zoster): About Shingles (Herpes Zoster) – Key Points, dated 17 January 2025, the CDC include:

  • “About 1 in every 3 people in the United States will have shingles (or herpes zoster) in their lifetime”.6

Treatment

What antiviral medicines are available to treat shingles?

In Shingles (Herpes Zoster): About Shingles (Herpes Zoster) – Treatment and Recovery the CDC explain:

“Several antiviral medicines are available to treat shingles:

  • Acyclovir (ay-sah-EE-kluh-veer)
  • Valacyclovir (va-luh-sah-EE-kluh-veer)
  • Famciclovir (fam-sah-EE-kluh-veer)

These medicines shorten the length and severity of the illness. They work best when you take them as soon as the rash appears. If you think you have shingles, contact your doctor as soon as possible to talk about treatment.

Pain relief medicine may help with the pain caused by shingles. This can be over the counter or a prescription from your doctor. Wet compresses, calamine lotion, and warm oatmeal baths may help relieve itching”.7

Shingrix Vaccine

What is the Shingrix vaccine?

In Shingles (Herpes Zoster): About Shingles (Herpes Zoster) – Prevention the CDC elaborate on:

Shingles“Protect yourself with the vaccine. CDC recommends 2 doses of recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV, Shingrix) to prevent shingles and related complications in adults 50 years and older. Shingrix is also recommended for adults 19 years and older who have weakened immune systems because of disease or therapy”.8

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have shingles?

If you think you have shingles, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Shingles: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms: When To See A Doctor the (United States) Mayo Clinic explain:

“Contact your health care provider as soon as possible if you suspect shingles, especially in the following situations:

  • The pain and rash occur near an eye. If left untreated, this infection may lead to permanent eye damage.
  • You’re 60 or older. Age increases your risk of complications.
  • You or someone in your family has a weakened immune system. This may be due to cancer, medications or chronic illness.
  • The rash is widespread and painful”.9

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Shingles?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Shingles?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

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New or Updated

  1. Age 50 or Over? Get the Shingles Vaccine!
    Shingles
  2. Chickenpox
  3. Chickenpox (Varicella)
  4. Chickenpox and Shingles Tests
  5. Is It Shingles or Something Else?
  6. Is the Shingles Vaccine Worthwhile?
  7. Shingles
  8. Shingles
  9. Shingles
  10. Shingles
  11. Shingles
  12. Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
    Shingles
  13. Shingles (Herpes Zoster): About Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
  14. Shingles (Herpes Zoster): About Shingles (Herpes Zoster) – Who Is At Risk
  15. Shingles (Herpes Zoster): Shingles Symptoms and Complications
  16. Shingles (Herpes Zoster): Shingles Vaccination
  17. Shingles Treatment: Does Alcohol Use Affect Therapy?
  18. Shingles Vaccine
  19. Shingles Vaccine: Can I Transmit the Vaccine Virus To Others?
  20. Shingles Vaccine: Should I Get It?
  21. What’s the Most Effective Way To Prevent Shingles? Getting Vaccinated

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Shingles (Herpes Zoster): About Shingles (Herpes Zoster) – What It Is. 17 January 2025. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/index.html Accessed: 15 March 2026
  2. Shingles (Herpes Zoster): About Shingles (Herpes Zoster) – What It Is. 17 January 2025. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/index.html Accessed: 15 March 2026
  3. Shingles (Herpes Zoster): About Shingles (Herpes Zoster) – Causes and Spread. 17 January 2025. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/index.html Accessed: 15 March 2026
  4. Shingles: Stay Away From Certain Groups of People. Page Last Reviewed: 23 November 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/shingles/#shingles-and-chickenpox Accessed: 15 March 2026
  5. Shingles: Causes of Shingles. Page Last Reviewed: 23 November 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/shingles/#shingles-and-chickenpox Accessed: 15 March 2026
  6. Shingles (Herpes Zoster): About Shingles (Herpes Zoster) – Key Points. 17 January 2025. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/index.html Accessed: 15 March 2026
  7. Shingles (Herpes Zoster): About Singles (Herpes Zoster) – Treatment and Recovery. 17 January 2025. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/index.html Accessed: 15 March 2026
  8. Shingles (Herpes Zoster): About Singles (Herpes Zoster) – Prevention. 17 January 2025. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/index.html Accessed: 15 March 2026
  9. Shingles: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms: When To See A Doctor. 20 August 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/shingles/symptoms-causes/syc-20353054 Accessed: 15 March 2026
Topic Last Updated: 15 March 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 15 March 2026

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