Quick answer
What is shingles?
Shingles is a painful rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, reactivating later in life. It usually appears as a band of blisters on one side of the body, often with pain or tingling first. It is worth seeing a GP early, as antiviral treatment works best when started quickly.
What is shingles?
Shingles is an infection that causes a painful rash. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus responsible for chickenpox. After you have had chickenpox, the virus stays inactive in the body and can reactivate years later as shingles, particularly with older age or when the immune system is lowered.
Symptoms
Shingles often begins with a tingling, burning or painful feeling in an area of skin, before a rash appears. The rash:
- usually appears as a band or patch on one side of the body or face
- starts as red blotches and becomes itchy blisters
- scabs over after a week or so
Some people also feel generally unwell, with a headache or a high temperature.
Treatment
Shingles is often treated with antiviral medicine, which works best when started within about three days of the rash appearing — so it is worth contacting a GP early. Pain relief helps with discomfort, and keeping the rash clean and dry reduces the risk of infection. Most people recover within a few weeks, though some have lingering nerve pain.
Preventing it and protecting others
A shingles vaccine is offered to older adults and some people with weakened immune systems. While you cannot catch shingles from someone else, the blisters can pass the virus to people who have never had chickenpox, so avoid close contact with them, pregnant women and anyone with a weakened immune system until the rash has crusted over.
When to act quickly
See a GP promptly if you think you have shingles. Seek urgent advice if the rash is near an eye, if you are pregnant or have a weakened immune system, or if you feel very unwell.
Common questions
- What causes shingles?
- Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. After chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in the body and can reactivate years later as shingles, often when the immune system is run down or with older age.
- Is shingles contagious?
- You cannot catch shingles from someone else. However, someone with shingles can pass the virus to a person who has never had chickenpox, who would then develop chickenpox (not shingles). The blisters are infectious until they crust over.
- How is shingles treated?
- Treatment includes pain relief and, often, antiviral medicine — which works best when started within about 3 days of the rash appearing. Keeping the rash clean and dry helps, and a GP can advise on managing the pain.
- Is there a vaccine for shingles?
- Yes. A shingles vaccine is offered to older adults and some people with weakened immune systems to reduce the risk of getting it. Ask your GP whether you are eligible.