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SORT THE SHINGLES FACTS FROM FICTION WITH OUR MYTHBUSTERS!

Are your shingles facts a work of fiction? How do you compare against other Aussies?

Have a look below to see if you’re in the know!

Where does shingles
come from?
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Where does shingles
come from?
Can you catch shingles?
How many people develop
shingles in their lifetime?
Who's more likely
to get shingles?
 
 
  • Myth: Only people 50 or older can get shingles
    Fact: Although shingles is most common in people aged 50 years and over, shingles can affect anyone who has previously had chickenpox.1–3
  • Myth: You can catch shingles
    Fact: You cannot get shingles from someone who has shingles.1,2 However, you can get chickenpox from someone who has shingles if you've never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine.1,2
  • Myth: Shingles isn't very common
    Fact: Almost all adults aged 50 and over already carry the inactive virus that causes shingles.1-3 About 1 in 3 people will develop shingles in their lifetime.1,2 It can occur regardless of how young, fit, or healthy a person may feel.1,2 It is estimated that over 100,000 Australians develop shingles annually.4
  • Myth: Shingles is just a skin rash
    Fact: Shingles typically produces a painful, blistering rash that usually lasts 1-2 weeks, which is a typical symptom of shingles.1,2,5

    But it can be more than just a rash. Shingles has the potential to cause long-term nerve pain lasting more than three months, known as postherpetic neuralgia or PHN.1,4 The incidence increases with age, ranging from approximately 10% in people aged 50 to 59-years-old to up to 20% in those aged over 80 years.6 Shingles can also affect your sleep, general activities and mood.7
  • Myth: The shingles rash only occurs on the torso
    Fact: You can get shingles on any part of the body or face, not just the torso.1,5
  • Myth: Once you've had shingles, you can't get it again
    Fact: Most people who develop shingles only have one episode during their life. However, for some, shingles is not a once-in-a-lifetime event.1,2 Having shingles once does not mean you'll never get it again.1,2,8
  • Myth: Shingles only affects sick people
    Fact: Although people with weakened immune systems have a higher risk of developing shingles, it doesn't only impact people who are sick.1,2 About 1 in 3 people will develop shingles in their lifetime.1,2 It can occur regardless of how young, fit, or healthy a person may feel.1,2
  • Myth: Shingles and chickenpox are the same
    Fact: Although shingles is the reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox, they are not the same illness.1,2 Chickenpox is a highly contagious illness that typically lasts 1-3 weeks and is more common in children than in adults. Shingles is more common in adults than children and usually lasts 1-2weeks.1-3

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“I was one of these people that believed it's not going to affect me.”

—
Peter
shingles in his 60s

Individual patients’ symptoms of shingles may vary. These statements are based on some patients’ descriptions and do not represent every patient’s experience.

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