According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 million people develop shingles in the United States each year, with one out of every three people developing it during their lifetime.
We’ve all seen the commercials about shingles, but you may be wondering, “What exactly is shingles?” and, “Am I at risk?”
What is Shingles?
Shingles (also called Herpes Zoster) is a painful skin rash caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus (varicella-zoster virus) that many of us had when we were children.
After you’ve had chickenpox, the virus stays in your body, lying dormant in nerve tissue. Years or even decades later, it can reactivate as shingles, particularly in adults age 50 and older or those with weakened immune systems.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, if the virus ‘wakes up’ then you will (not could) experience a painful, blistering rash known as shingles.
Because shingles results from reactivation of the chickenpox virus, which most adults had as children, about 99% of Americans born before 1980 are at risk, even if they don’t remember having chickenpox.
The virus can reactivate from disease, stress, or a weakened immune system. The shingles virus is most common in adults 50+ and it is recommended that anyone above the age of 60 can, and should, get vaccinated.
Common Symptoms of Shingles
If you experience the shingles virus then you can expect the following:
- Pain, burning, numbness or tingling
- Sensitivity to touch
- A red rash that begins a few days after the pain
- Fluid-filled blisters that break open and crust over
- Itching
- Fever
- Headache
- Sensitivity to light
- Fatigue
- In some cases, pain lingers for months or even years—a condition called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)
The rash often appears as a single stripe around the left or right side of the body.
These symptoms may come at different times and can last for a few days or weeks. The blisters themselves can take 2-4 weeks to heal, while the other symptoms may last for a shorter period of time.
Why Prevention Matters
Shingles can lead to serious complications including long-lasting nerve pain and vision loss.
The most common complication of shingles is long-term nerve pain called postherpetic neuralgia, or PHN.
PHN occurs where the shingles rash was located, even after the rash clears up. It can last for months or years after the rash goes away. PHN is extremely painful and can interfere with daily life.
According to the CDC, About 10% to 18 % of people who have shingles also experience PHN. Your risk of PHN increases with age. Compared to a younger person with shingles, an older adult with shingles is more likely to develop PHN; and have longer lasting and more severe pain. [CDC]
- Shingles on the face can affect the eyes causing vision loss.
- The rash may become infected with bacteria.
Can Shingles be Prevented or Treated?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends Shingrix, a two-dose shingles vaccine, as the most effective way to protect yourself.
What is Shingrix?
- A non-live, recombinant vaccine approved by the FDA in 2017
- Over 90% effective at preventing shingles and PHN—even in adults over 70
- Offers protection that lasts at least 7 years
- Given in two doses, 2–6 months apart
Note: Zostavax, the older shingles vaccine, was discontinued in the U.S. in 2020. Shingrix is now the only recommended vaccine for shingles prevention.
Who Should Get Vaccinated?
You should get Shingrix if:
- You’re age 50 or older, even if:
- You've already had shingles
- You've had the Zostavax vaccine in the past
- You don’t remember having chickenpox (over 99% of Americans born before 1980 have had it)
- You’re 19 or older and immunocompromised (e.g., undergoing cancer treatment, living with HIV, or taking medications that weaken your immune system)
Will My Insurance Pay for the Shingles Vaccine?
Medicare Part D and most private insurance plans cover the full cost of Shingrix for eligible adults. Call your pharmacist or provider to confirm. The vaccine itself is estimated to cost $200 to $250 per injection without coverage.
If you are 50 years of age or older, then you should contact your physician and insurance provider to see what options are available to you. Take action now to prevent the shingles virus from impacting your health.
What to Expect After Getting Vaccinated
Side effects are common but short-lived. Most people experience:
- Soreness or redness at the injection site
- Muscle aches or fatigue
- Headache, fever, or chills (usually lasting 1–3 days)
These symptoms are signs your body is building immunity. For most people, they’re manageable with rest, hydration, and over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
What If You Still Get Shingles?
Even with vaccination, a small number of people may still develop shingles. If that happens:
- See a healthcare provider right away. Antiviral medications like acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir can help reduce the severity and duration if started within 72 hours of the first symptoms.
- Treat symptoms with:
- Cool compresses
- Topical creams or lidocaine patches
- Prescription medications for nerve pain, if needed
The sooner you start treatment, the lower your risk of complications like PHN.
Can Shingles Spread to Others?
Yes, but only to people who’ve never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine.
If you have shingles:
- Keep the rash covered
- Avoid touching or scratching the blisters
- Wash your hands frequently
- Avoid contact with pregnant women, newborns, and immunocompromised individuals until your blisters have fully scabbed over
What's Next?
Take action today. If you're 50 or older—or 19+ with a weaker immune system, the Centers for Disease Control [CDC] recommends that you schedule or complete your two-dose Shingrix series. Even if you previously had chickenpox, shingles, or received the old Zostavax shot.
Last Updated: May, 2025.
