What is Shingles?

• Shingles is a painful skin rash, often with blisters. It is also called Herpes Zoster.  A shingles rash usually appears on one side of the face or body and lasts a week to 10 days. Its main symptom is pain, which can be quite severe. Other symptoms of shingles can include fever, headache, chills and upset stomach. Very rarely, a shingles infection can lead to pneumonia, hearing problems, blindness, brain inflammation (encephalitis) or death. Shingles is caused by the Varicella Zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox.

Who should get the shingles vaccine?

• A single dose of shingle vaccine is indicated for adults 60 years and older.

Did you know?

• You can’t catch shingles from another person with shingles. However, a person who has never had chickenpox (or chickenpox vaccine) could get chickenpox from someone with shingles.
• Shingles is far more common in people 60 and older than in younger people. It is also more common in people whose immune system is weakened because of a disease such as cancer, or drugs such as steroids or chemotherapy. At least 500,000 people a year in the United States get shingles.

How can I learn more?

• Call (800) 862-3132 and ask for the Wellness Department for additional information or to schedule an appointment.