By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    How Not to Become a Victim of Medical Scams
    How Not to Become a Victim of Medical Scams
    December 22, 2021
    11 Ways You Can Care for Your Elder Family Members Health
    11 Ways You Can Care for Your Elder Family Members Health
    April 6, 2022
    How Can Brain Injury Lead To Dangerous Long-Term Effects?
    How Can Brain Injury Lead To Dangerous Long-Term Effects?
    August 30, 2022
    Latest News
    7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
    August 20, 2025
    Hospital Pest Control and the Fight Against Superbugs
    August 20, 2025
    Hygiene Beyond The Clinic: Attention To Overlooked Non-Clinical Spaces
    August 13, 2025
    5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
    August 3, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    health suppliments
    Experience Life in a Better Way by Experimenting with Supplements!
    November 15, 2022
    Are There Differences in Medicare Spending Across States?
    September 9, 2017
    Obama: Ryan’s Ideas Are Too Radical Unless They’re Also My Ideas
    April 21, 2011
    Latest News
    How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
    August 22, 2025
    How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
    August 22, 2025
    How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
    August 22, 2025
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Seniors and Shingles: Myth vs Fact
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Specialties > Geriatrics > Seniors and Shingles: Myth vs Fact
GeriatricsNews

Seniors and Shingles: Myth vs Fact

eCaring
eCaring
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

 

Shingles is a painful disease caused by the same virus as the chicken pox — the herpes zoster virus– and affects an estimated 1 million people annually. In fact, more than half of all Americans will have experienced shingles by age 80.

 

More Read

healthy cakes
Indulge In Guilt-Free Desserts With These Healthy Cake Recipes
XBOX Kinect Helps with Stroke Rehabilitation
Noted Endocrinologist Indicates Testosterone Therapy Could Minimize Bone Loss
The Remarkable Health Advantages of Wearing Glasses Explained
Infographic: How Important is Protecting Patient Privacy?

Shingles is a painful disease caused by the same virus as the chicken pox — the herpes zoster virus– and affects an estimated 1 million people annually. In fact, more than half of all Americans will have experienced shingles by age 80.

Since shingles is very common, you may have heard differing information from friends, fellow caregivers, and healthcare providers. Let’s sort the truth about shingles from myth.

Shingles 101

Shingles is the reactivation of the dormant chicken pox virus that uniquely affects on side of the body. In the event of altered immunity, age, illness or other stressor, the virus re-emerges from its long-time home in the spinal nerves and a painful skin rash breaks out. Shingles may begin with pronounced fatigue and typically develops in three stages: severe pain or tingling along the nerve pathway, itchy rash, and blisters that resemble chickenpox.

Shingles myths and facts

Myth: Only elderly people get shingles.

Fact: Shingles is most common in older adults over age 60, however the disease can infect people of any age who have had chickenpox in the past. Because the immune system declines with age, seniors are at greater risk.

 

Myth: Shingles is contagious.

Fact: Shingles cannot be given to another person who has already had chickenpox. However direct or close contact with the rash can result in a chickenpox infection for someone who has never had chicken pox before, but this type of transmission is very uncommon. Shingles is not contagious before the rash appears or when the rash has crusted over.

 

Myth: Once you get shingles, you can never get it again.

Fact: While it’s true that over half of seniors will have an attack of shingles, the likelihood of multiple infections is estimated to be 1%-4%.

 

Myth: There are no medical complications associated with shingles.

Fact: Shingles is accompanied by intense, debilitating pain that interferes with basic functions, results in loss of sleep, and even depression. Outbreaks on the face or eyes can cause vision or hearing problems. Permanent blindness can result if not treated quickly. Other complications from shingles include: encephalitis, facial paralysis (Ramsay hunt syndrome), bacterial infections on the skin, and pneumonia.

 

Myth: Shingles cannot be prevented

Fact:  A vaccine for shingles become available in 2006 and has been shown to reduce the risk for shingles by 50%. A single dose is recommended for older adults age 60 and older.

 

Do you have additional information about the shingles virus you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments below.

 

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

travel nurse in north carolina
Balancing Speed and Scope: Choosing the Nursing Degree That Fits Your Goals
Nursing
September 1, 2025
intimacy
How to Keep Intimacy Comfortable as You Age
Relationship and Lifestyle Senior Care
September 1, 2025
engineer fitting prosthetic arm
How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
Health care
August 20, 2025
a woman explaining the document
How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
Public Health
August 20, 2025

You Might also Like

tips to become a fitness influencer
News

How To Become A Successful Fitness Influencer?

February 16, 2022

The Coming Changes in Health Care Delivery

August 3, 2012
Periodontal Disease Treatment Marielaina Perrone DDS
Medical EducationNewsWellness

Periodontal Disease Linked To Other Diseases?

February 6, 2013

Junk in the Trunk: Amateur Buttock Enhancements can Kill

November 21, 2011
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?