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
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • 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

Why Your Aging Parent May Be at Risk for Re-Hospitalization
mHealthSummit Day 2 – Innovations and Devices
Testing Without Theory
Implantable Drug Delivery Systems: Delivering Medication One Dose at a Time
5 CDC Social Media Activities That Influenced Online Conversations About Ebola

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

a woman walking on the hallway
6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
Health
September 9, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
Global Healthcare
September 9, 2025
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

You Might also Like

Unnecessary Health Care Expenditures

September 13, 2012
DNA genome personalized healthcare
DiagnosticsMedical InnovationsMedical RecordsNewsWellness

Medicine Made for You: What Is Personalized Healthcare All About?

November 16, 2013
tips for counsellors to avoid the risk of getting negative reviews
News

How Counsellors Can Protect Themselves Against Complaints

August 9, 2022
Carestream_Vue_RIS
News

Diagnostic Reading: “Must Read” Articles on HIT and Radiology

May 17, 2016
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?