Shingles: It’s No Party!
Shingles is not a virus anyone wants to experience. Often described as excruciating, relentless, and debilitating, it can disrupt daily life and linger far longer than expected.
What Causes Shingles?
Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox — the Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV). After someone recovers from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the body’s nerve roots. Years or even decades later, it can reactivate as shingles, typically during times of stress or when the immune system is weakened.
Symptoms and What It Feels Like
Shingles typically starts with symptoms such as a headache, fatigue, low-grade fever, and unusual sensations like burning, aching, or tingling pain along one side of the torso, face, or limbs. These symptoms often precede the appearance of a red rash and blisters in the affected area.
The pain is usually described as burning, searing, or electric shock-like. Even the slightest touch — from clothing, water, or air — can be intensely painful. For many, the discomfort can be physically and emotionally draining.
Even after the rash and blisters heal, some individuals experience post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a chronic nerve pain that can persist for months or even years after the initial infection.
Who’s at Risk?
It’s estimated that about 130,000 Canadians are affected by shingles each year. Over 90% of those cases are individuals over the age of 50 who previously had chickenpox. People with weakened immune systems are at increased risk, but shingles can strike individuals of any age.
Prevention and Treatment
Vaccination is currently the most effective way to reduce the risk of shingles and its complications. Health Canada recommends that adults over 50 consult with their healthcare provider about getting vaccinated, especially if they’ve had chickenpox in the past.
Each province and territory in Canada has its own guidelines and funding models for the shingles vaccine — some may cover it fully or partially, while others may require payment. Speak with a healthcare professional for details specific to your region.
For more information on shingles, treatment options, and prevention strategies, visit the Government of Canada’s shingles resource page.