Key Takeaways
- Shingles often starts with pain, itching or tingling on one side of the body or face, followed by a painful rash a few days later.
- About one in three people in the United States will get shingles in their lifetime.
- Antiviral medicine works best when started early, so call your doctor as soon as you notice signs of shingles.
- The shingles vaccine is recommended for adults 50 and older and for adults 19 and older with weakened immune systems.
- Prima CARE's primary care providers serve patients in Somerset, Swansea and nearby towns, and you can request an appointment online to talk about shingles symptoms or vaccination.
What Is Shingles?
Shingles, also called herpes zoster, is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you have chickenpox, the virus stays in your body. It can wake up years later and cause shingles.
According to the CDC overview of shingles, about one in every three people in the United States will have shingles in their lifetime. An estimated one million people get shingles each year in the U.S. The CDC also notes that more than 99% of Americans born before 1980 had chickenpox, which means most older adults are at risk.
Your risk goes up if you are over 50 or have a weakened immune system.
Early Signs of Shingles
Shingles often causes symptoms before the rash appears. The CDC page on shingles symptoms and complications explains that early signs include:
- Pain, itching or tingling in the area where the rash will form, often several days before the rash.
- Fever.
Other early symptoms can include headache and feeling unwell.
The Shingles Rash
The CDC describes the shingles rash as painful and usually itchy. It typically forms on one side of the face or body, often in a band or strip. The rash:
- Turns into fluid-filled blisters.
- Usually scabs over in seven to 10 days.
- Clears up within two to four weeks.
According to the Mayo Clinic overview of shingles, some people have shingles pain without ever getting a rash.
Possible Complications of Shingles
Shingles is not usually life-threatening, but it can be very painful and lead to lasting problems.
- Long-term nerve pain: The most common complication is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), nerve pain that lasts after the rash clears. The CDC says about 10% to 18% of people with shingles get PHN, and the risk rises with age.
- Eye problems: Shingles on the face can affect the eye and cause vision loss.
- Skin infections: The rash can become infected with bacteria.
When to See a Primary Care Doctor
Call your doctor as soon as you think you might have shingles. The CDC notes that antiviral medicines, such as acyclovir, valacyclovir and famciclovir, can shorten how long shingles lasts and how severe it is. These medicines work best when started as soon as the rash appears.
Get medical care right away if:
- The pain or rash is near your eye.
- You have a weakened immune system.
- The rash is widespread or very painful.
- The rash looks infected, with spreading redness, warmth or pus.
Go to the emergency room if you have a severe headache, eye pain or vision changes with a shingles rash.
If you cannot get in to see your regular provider quickly, Prima CARE's ambulatory walk-in clinics can help with new symptoms.
The Shingles Vaccine: Who Should Get It?
The best way to protect yourself is to get vaccinated. The CDC page on shingles vaccination recommends the Shingrix vaccine for:
- Adults 50 and older.
- Adults 19 and older who have a weakened immune system because of a disease or treatment.
Shingles Vaccine at a Glance
| Details From the CDC | |
|---|---|
| Vaccine name | Shingrix (recombinant zoster vaccine) |
| Number of doses | Two |
| Time between doses | Two to six months for most adults; one to two months for some adults with weakened immune systems |
| Protection | More than 90% effective at preventing shingles and PHN in adults 50 and older with healthy immune systems |
| Common side effects | Sore arm, tiredness or muscle pain that usually lasts two to three days |
You should get Shingrix even if you have already had shingles, had chickenpox or are not sure if you had chickenpox. Ask your provider what is right for you.
How Prima CARE Supports Your Health in Somerset and Swansea
Prima CARE's family and internal medicine providers focus on preventive care, including keeping your vaccinations up to date during your yearly physical. Prima CARE has primary care offices and a walk-in clinic serving Somerset and Swansea, along with offices in Fall River and nearby towns.
For complex or hard-to-treat infections, your primary care provider can coordinate care with Prima CARE's infectious disease specialists.
Staying healthy also means caring for your overall well-being. The Prima CARE blog on how chronic stress affects your body shares more on protecting your health.
Protect Yourself From Shingles With Prima CARE
Shingles can be painful, but early treatment and vaccination can lower your risk of lasting problems. Prima CARE's primary care providers can help you spot the signs, start treatment quickly and stay up to date on the shingles vaccine.
Request an appointment with Prima CARE to see a Prima CARE primary care provider about shingles symptoms or the shingles vaccine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the first signs of shingles?
The first signs are often pain, itching or tingling on one side of the body or face. A fever may also come first. A rash usually appears a few days later.
Who should get the shingles vaccine?
The CDC recommends Shingrix for adults 50 and older and for adults 19 and older with weakened immune systems.
Can you get shingles more than once?
Yes. You can get shingles more than once, which is why the vaccine is recommended even if you have already had shingles.
Is shingles contagious?
You cannot spread shingles itself. However, a person with active shingles blisters can spread the chickenpox virus to someone who has never had chickenpox or the vaccine. The CDC says the virus cannot spread before blisters appear or after the rash scabs over.
Where can I find a primary care doctor near me in Somerset or Swansea, MA?
Prima CARE has primary care offices and a walk-in clinic serving Somerset and Swansea, MA. You can request an appointment online.
