WHO CAN GET SHINGLES?
Shingles is a common illness.1,2 Almost all people carry the inactive virus that causes shingles and about 1 in 3 people will develop shingles in their lifetime.1–3 It can occur regardless of how healthy they may feel.1,2
Shingles can occur at any age, to anyone that has had chickenpox.1 However, the risk is higher in:1,2
People aged over 50
People with a weakened immune system
People that had chickenpox in the first year of life
Shingles is the reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox.1,2 This means that you can’t catch shingles from someone who has it.1,2
However, you can get chickenpox from someone who has shingles if you’ve never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine.1,2
You can read more about the shingles virus here and typical symptoms of shingles to look out for here.
“Because it was around my waist, and my back, everything that my body touched just exploded in pain…it was just horrible”
Individual patients’ symptoms of shingles may vary. These statements are based on some patients’ descriptions and do not represent every patient’s experience.
BOOK A GP APPOINTMENT
Download the discussion guide and talk to your doctor about the risk and impact of shingles.
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