When most people think of shingles, they picture an older person struggling with a painful rash. While shingles is more common in older adults, it can affect anyone who has had chickenpox—even healthy young adults. Shingles isn’t just a rash. It can cause intense, burning pain that lingers for months, even after the rash disappears. In severe cases, it can lead to complications like vision loss, hearing problems, or long-term nerve damage. The good news? A simple, safe vaccination for shingles can dramatically reduce your risk of developing shingles and its complications. In this article, we’ll explain why shingles vaccination isn’t just for seniors and why you should consider getting vaccinated, no matter your age.
What Is Shingles?
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox—the varicella-zoster virus. After you recover from chickenpox, the virus doesn’t leave your body. Instead, it hides in your nerve tissues and can reactivate years later as shingles.
When reactivated, the virus causes a painful rash, usually on one side of the body, along with symptoms like:
- Burning, tingling, or stabbing pain (often before the rash appears)
- Red rash that develops into fluid-filled blisters
- Fever, chills, headache, and fatigue
- Itching, sensitivity to touch, and nerve pain
While the rash typically lasts 2–4 weeks, the pain can persist for months or even years—a condition known as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).
Who’s At Risk For Shingles?
Anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk for shingles, which includes over 90% of adults worldwide. Your risk increases with age, but young, healthy individuals can also develop shingles, especially if they have:
Common Risk Factors:
- Age 50 and older: Risk increases significantly after 50, but shingles can occur at any age.
- Weakened immune system: Due to conditions like HIV, cancer, or medications (e.g., chemotherapy, steroids).
- Chronic stress: Long-term stress weakens the immune system, increasing the risk of viral reactivation.
- History of certain medical conditions: Including diabetes, autoimmune diseases, or recent organ transplants.
- Smoking: May impair the immune system, increasing the likelihood of shingles outbreaks.
Even if you’re young and healthy, your immune system can weaken due to stress, illness, or other factors—triggering a shingles outbreak.
Why You Should Get Vaccination For Shingles—Even If You’re Young
Vaccination for shingles is the best way to prevent the condition and its complications. There are two types of vaccines:
- Shingrix (preferred): A recombinant vaccine that’s over 90% effective at preventing shingles and PHN. Recommended for adults aged 50+ and immunocompromised individuals aged 19+.
- Zostavax (older vaccine): Less commonly used now due to lower effectiveness compared to Shingrix.
Benefits Of The Shingles Vaccine:
- Prevents shingles: Reduces the risk of developing shingles by over 90%.
- Reduces severity: If you do get shingles, symptoms are milder and complications are less likely.
- Protects against long-term pain: Significantly lowers the risk of postherpetic neuralgia.
Even if you’ve had shingles before, the vaccine can help prevent future outbreaks.
FAQs About Shingles Vaccination
Q: Who should get the shingles vaccine?
A: Experts recommend the shingles vaccine for:
- Adults aged 50 and older (even if they’ve had shingles before)
- Adults aged 19+ with weakened immune systems
Q: I’ve never had chickenpox. Do I need the vaccine?
A: If you’ve had the chickenpox vaccine as a child, your risk of shingles is lower, but not zero. Talk to your doctor about whether the shingles vaccine is right for you.
Q: Can the vaccine cause shingles?
A: No. The Shingrix vaccine does not contain live virus, so it cannot cause shingles.
Q: Are there side effects?
A: Common side effects include soreness at the injection site, fatigue, headache, or mild fever—usually resolving within a few days.
Myths vs. Facts About Shingles
- Myth: Only older people get shingles.
Fact: Shingles can affect younger adults, especially with weakened immune systems or high stress levels. - Myth: If I had chickenpox as a child, I’m immune to shingles.
Fact: Having had chickenpox puts you at higher risk for shingles because the virus stays dormant in your body. - Myth: Shingles is just a rash—it’s not serious.
Fact: Shingles can cause severe complications like nerve damage, vision loss, and long-term pain.
Protect Yourself—Book Your Shingles Vaccination Today
Don’t wait for shingles to strike when prevention is simple and effective.
Get vaccinated for effective shingles protection.
- Quick, safe vaccination process with minimal side effects.
- Long-lasting protection against shingles and nerve pain.
- Personalized advice for those with weakened immune systems.
Contact us for an appointment to get vaccinated.
Protect against cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic diseases with regular health screening. Compare and shop for health screenings from Singapore and regional healthcare providers at a single convenient platform - shop.health365.sg
This article is informative only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.