What Is Shingles in Elderly and How to Prevent It?
Shingles is a painful condition that commonly affects seniors and can cause long-lasting complications. Understanding shingles and prevention helps protect against this preventable disease.
Understanding Shingles
Shingles, also called herpes zoster, is caused by reactivation of the chickenpox virus. After chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in nerve tissue. Years or decades later, it can reactivate as shingles.
Anyone who has had chickenpox can develop shingles. About one in three people will develop shingles in their lifetime. Risk increases significantly with age, with most cases occurring after age 50.
The immune decline that comes with aging allows the dormant virus to reactivate. This is why shingles is predominantly a disease of older adults.
Symptoms of Shingles
Pain, burning, or tingling often precedes the rash by several days. This prodromal pain may be severe and can be mistaken for other conditions before the rash appears.
A characteristic rash develops, typically on one side of the body in a band or strip following a nerve path. The rash forms blisters that crust over within seven to ten days.
The rash usually appears on the trunk but can affect the face. Shingles near the eye is particularly concerning and requires prompt ophthalmologic evaluation.
Pain with the rash can be severe. Some describe it as burning, stabbing, or electric shock-like. Pain sensitivity in the affected area is common.
Complications
Postherpetic neuralgia is the most common complication. Pain persists for months or years after the rash heals. The older you are when you get shingles, the more likely you are to develop PHN.
Vision loss can result from shingles affecting the eye. Prompt treatment is essential to protect vision when shingles involves the face.
Bacterial skin infections can develop in shingles blisters. Keeping the rash clean and watching for signs of infection matters.
Rarely, shingles can cause hearing problems, facial paralysis, or brain inflammation.
Prevention Through Vaccination
Shingrix vaccine is highly effective at preventing shingles and postherpetic neuralgia. It reduces shingles risk by over 90 percent in adults over 50.
Two doses are required, given two to six months apart. Full vaccination requires completing both doses.
Shingrix is recommended for adults over 50, even those who have had shingles before or received the older Zostavax vaccine. Previous shingles does not prevent recurrence.
Common side effects include arm soreness, fatigue, and muscle aches lasting a few days. These temporary effects are far preferable to shingles.
Treatment
Antiviral medications reduce severity and duration if started within 72 hours of rash onset. Early treatment is important. Seek care promptly if you suspect shingles.
Getting Shingles Prevention
All Seniors Foundation encourages shingles vaccination. Prevention avoids unnecessary suffering. Contact us for vaccination information and healthcare services.
