People may not know that the varicella zoster virus, which causes chickenpox, lies dormant in 99 percent of adults 50 years of age and older in the U.S. The risk of the virus reactivating and causing shingles increases with age, though not everyone that has had chickenpox will develop shingles. “One common misconception is that shingles is rare, but about one million cases are reported every year in the United States. You may know someone who’s had it, even if you don’t realize it,” Dr. Oronsaye says.

The immune system naturally weakens with age, and people’s risk of developing shingles sharply increases after age 50. No matter how active or healthy a person feels, adults 50 years and older are at increased risk for shingles. “So often, we hear stories about patients 50 years and older not receiving recommendations from their health care providers or not prioritizing vaccination because they are unaware that age is the biggest risk factor for shingles,” Dr. Oronsaye says.

Shingles often starts with a painful, blistering rash, which then turns into scabs, taking several weeks to fully resolve. Dr. Oronsaye notes people often describe the pain from shingles as burning or aching sensations that can disrupt daily activities such as work and sleep. Shingles may also lead to complications, like debilitating nerve pain, or postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), in the area where the rash was in about 10-18 percent of patients. PHN can last for months or even years. In rare cases, if the rash is near the eye, vision issues can occur.

There is a vaccine to prevent shingles called SHINGRIX.

What is SHINGRIX (Zoster Vaccine Recombinant, Adjuvanted)?

SHINGRIX is an FDA-approved vaccine for the prevention of shingles (herpes zoster) in adults 50 years and older. SHINGRIX is not used to prevent chickenpox.