Reduce your risk by 90%
In China, each year, there are more than 1.5 million new cases of shingles in people aged 50 and over [1].
What is shingles?
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. If you have had chickenpox, it is likely that you may get shingles. It is important to note that children can also get shingles.
After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in their body. The virus can then reactivate and cause shingles. Most people with shingles will only have one attack in their lifetime, but in some cases, people relapse. The risk of developing shingles increases with age.
What are the symptoms of singles?
The below are symptoms of shingles:
A rash or blisters on one side of the face or body, accompanied by burning
pain
Fever
Headache
Shivering
Abdominal discomfort
In addition, shingles can cause skin infections, eye problems (if the rash is near the eyes), hearing problems (if the rash is near the ears), and the brain or nerves may be severely damaged (however this is rare)
Is shingles serious?
Yes, shingles can be serious, but this is rare. Symptoms of shingles can be severe enough to interfere with sleep, appetite, or sexual function. About 1 in 10 people with shingles will develop post-herpetic neuralgia (i.e., lasting pain in areas of the skin where shingles occurred). Even after the rash subsides, people with post-herpetic neuralgia still experience pain or discomfort. The pain can last for months, or even years, and can be severe enough to cause difficulty sleeping, weight loss, and depression.
Who is prone to getting shingles?
The incidence rate of shingles increases sharply after the age of 50. Approximately 20% of cases occur in people aged 50-59 years old, and 40% of cases occur in people over the age of 60. It is estimated that approximately 50% of people who reach the age of 85 will have a shingles attack [2].
Immunocompromised patients, including transplant recipients, patients with autoimmune diseases, and HIV-infected patients, are at a higher risk of getting shingles.
I suspect that I have shingles,
do I need to see a doctor?
Yes, you need to seek medical attention as soon as possible – the sooner you receive treatment, the better. If you suspect you may have shingles, please visit your family medicine physician or dermatologist as soon as possible.
I have shingles, what will the doctor prescribe?
Various forms of antiviral medication are available to treat shingles, including acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir, and can shorten the duration and severity of the disease. These medications are most effective if you start them as soon as possible after the rash appears, with optimal results occurring within 72 hours.
For mild pain, NSAIDs and acetaminophen are effective for pain relief. Moderate to severe pain that interferes with sleep can be difficult to treat and may require additional medications [3], including short-acting opioids, or prednisone if short-acting opioids are unsuccessful. Post-herpetic neuralgia can be treated with nerve blockers, such as gabapentin or tricyclic antidepressants.
Please note, it is important to only take medication under the guidance of a doctor.
Can shingles be prevented?
Yes, getting vaccinated is an effective measure to prevent shingles [4]. Clinical data shows that the recombinant herpes zoster vaccine can reduce the risk of developing shingles by at least 90% in people aged 50 years and over [5]. People over the age of 40 can be vaccinated with available local live-attenuated herpes zoster vaccines.
Who can get vaccinated?
What is the vaccination process?
The herpes zoster vaccination is recommended for people with a normally functioning immune system over the age of 50 and is strongly recommended for people over the age of 60. Vaccinations are also recommended for people below the age of 50 if they have a weakened immune system.
Recombinant herpes zoster vaccination process: Two doses (0.5ml each), with an interval of 2 to 6 months between the first and second dose. The vaccination must be injected into a muscle, preferably on the upper arm [6].
Live attenuated herpes zoster vaccination process: A single dose, subcutaneous injection (i.e., injected under the skin).
You can select the appropriate vaccination based on your needs, or you can have a consultation with a family medicine physician to determine the appropriate type of vaccine.
Is shingles contagious?
If you have shingles, you can spread the virus through direct contact with the rash to someone who has never had chickenpox or who has never been vaccinated against chickenpox. If this person gets infected by the virus, they will develop chickenpox, not shingles. It is possible that they will then develop shingles later in life.
Frequently asked questions
about the shingles vaccine
Can people with shingles get
vaccinated?
It is not recommended. The herpes zoster vaccination is not recommended for the treatment of shingles or post-herpetic neuralgia. Before getting vaccinated, please consult with a doctor to ensure complete recovery before considering vaccination.
Are there people who should not get the herpes zoster vaccine?
Yes, there are certain people who should not receive the vaccination.
The people below are not suitable for the recombinant vaccine:
People who are allergic to vaccines or vaccine components.
People with various acute illnesses, such as severe infections, acute allergies, recent surgery, etc.
People who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
The people below are not suitable for the live-attenuated vaccine:
People who are allergic to vaccines or vaccine components.
People who have weakened or suppressed immune systems caused by certain diseases or treatments.
If you have concerns, please speak to your family medicine physician before getting vaccinated.
Are there any adverse reactions after getting vaccinated?
There are some adverse reactions that may occur, including general systemic reactions and local reactions at the injection site.
Common adverse reactions to recombinant vaccines include:
Local reactions (at the injection site):
Typically, this is pain at the injection site.
Systemic reactions:
The most common systemic reactions include muscle aches and pain (44.7%), fatigue (44.5%), headache (37.7%), chills (26.8%), fever (20.5%), and gastrointestinal symptoms (17.3%) [7].
Common adverse reactions to live-attenuated vaccines include:
Local reactions (at the injection site):
Flushing, swelling, induration (i.e., thickening and hardening of the soft tissue), pain, itching, etc.
Systemic adverse reactions:
Fever and fatigue.
References
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Department of Family Medicine
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What is shingles?
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. If you have had chickenpox, it is likely that you may get shingles. It is important to note that children can also get shingles.
After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in their body. The virus can then reactivate and cause shingles. Most people with shingles will only have one attack in their lifetime, but in some cases, people relapse. The risk of developing shingles increases with age.
What are the symptoms of singles?
The below are symptoms of shingles:
A rash or blisters on one side of the face or body, accompanied by burning
pain
Fever
Headache
Shivering
Abdominal discomfort
In addition, shingles can cause skin infections, eye problems (if the rash is near the eyes), hearing problems (if the rash is near the ears), and the brain or nerves may be severely damaged (however this is rare)
Is shingles serious?
Yes, shingles can be serious, but this is rare. Symptoms of shingles can be severe enough to interfere with sleep, appetite, or sexual function. About 1 in 10 people with shingles will develop post-herpetic neuralgia (i.e., lasting pain in areas of the skin where shingles occurred). Even after the rash subsides, people with post-herpetic neuralgia still experience pain or discomfort. The pain can last for months, or even years, and can be severe enough to cause difficulty sleeping, weight loss, and depression.
Who is prone to getting shingles?
The incidence rate of shingles increases sharply after the age of 50. Approximately 20% of cases occur in people aged 50-59 years old, and 40% of cases occur in people over the age of 60. It is estimated that approximately 50% of people who reach the age of 85 will have a shingles attack [2].
Immunocompromised patients, including transplant recipients, patients with autoimmune diseases, and HIV-infected patients, are at a higher risk of getting shingles.
I suspect that I have shingles,
do I need to see a doctor?
Yes, you need to seek medical attention as soon as possible – the sooner you receive treatment, the better. If you suspect you may have shingles, please visit your family medicine physician or dermatologist as soon as possible.
I have shingles, what will the doctor prescribe?
Various forms of antiviral medication are available to treat shingles, including acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir, and can shorten the duration and severity of the disease. These medications are most effective if you start them as soon as possible after the rash appears, with optimal results occurring within 72 hours.
For mild pain, NSAIDs and acetaminophen are effective for pain relief. Moderate to severe pain that interferes with sleep can be difficult to treat and may require additional medications [3], including short-acting opioids, or prednisone if short-acting opioids are unsuccessful. Post-herpetic neuralgia can be treated with nerve blockers, such as gabapentin or tricyclic antidepressants.
Please note, it is important to only take medication under the guidance of a doctor.
Can shingles be prevented?
Yes, getting vaccinated is an effective measure to prevent shingles [4]. Clinical data shows that the recombinant herpes zoster vaccine can reduce the risk of developing shingles by at least 90% in people aged 50 years and over [5]. People over the age of 40 can be vaccinated with available local live-attenuated herpes zoster vaccines.
Who can get vaccinated?
What is the vaccination process?
The herpes zoster vaccination is recommended for people with a normally functioning immune system over the age of 50 and is strongly recommended for people over the age of 60. Vaccinations are also recommended for people below the age of 50 if they have a weakened immune system.
Recombinant herpes zoster vaccination process: Two doses (0.5ml each), with an interval of 2 to 6 months between the first and second dose. The vaccination must be injected into a muscle, preferably on the upper arm [6].
Live attenuated herpes zoster vaccination process: A single dose, subcutaneous injection (i.e., injected under the skin).
You can select the appropriate vaccination based on your needs, or you can have a consultation with a family medicine physician to determine the appropriate type of vaccine.
Is shingles contagious?
If you have shingles, you can spread the virus through direct contact with the rash to someone who has never had chickenpox or who has never been vaccinated against chickenpox. If this person gets infected by the virus, they will develop chickenpox, not shingles. It is possible that they will then develop shingles later in life.
Frequently asked questions
about the shingles vaccine
Can people with shingles get
vaccinated?
It is not recommended. The herpes zoster vaccination is not recommended for the treatment of shingles or post-herpetic neuralgia. Before getting vaccinated, please consult with a doctor to ensure complete recovery before considering vaccination.
Are there people who should not get the herpes zoster vaccine?
Yes, there are certain people who should not receive the vaccination.
The people below are not suitable for the recombinant vaccine:
People who are allergic to vaccines or vaccine components.
People with various acute illnesses, such as severe infections, acute allergies, recent surgery, etc.
People who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
The people below are not suitable for the live-attenuated vaccine:
People who are allergic to vaccines or vaccine components.
People who have weakened or suppressed immune systems caused by certain diseases or treatments.
If you have concerns, please speak to your family medicine physician before getting vaccinated.
Are there any adverse reactions after getting vaccinated?
There are some adverse reactions that may occur, including general systemic reactions and local reactions at the injection site.
Common adverse reactions to recombinant vaccines include:
Local reactions (at the injection site):
Typically, this is pain at the injection site.
Systemic reactions:
The most common systemic reactions include muscle aches and pain (44.7%), fatigue (44.5%), headache (37.7%), chills (26.8%), fever (20.5%), and gastrointestinal symptoms (17.3%) [7].
Common adverse reactions to live-attenuated vaccines include:
Local reactions (at the injection site):
Flushing, swelling, induration (i.e., thickening and hardening of the soft tissue), pain, itching, etc.
Systemic adverse reactions:
Fever and fatigue.
References
*Scroll within box to read entire text
Department of Family Medicine
Scroll down to read
English
Chinese - 中文
Japanese - 日本語
Korean - 한국어
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