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Description

Shingles is a painful skin rash caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV).

Symptoms

Pain, itching or tingling of the skin which is followed by a painful skin rash of blister-like lesions, usually localized to a small area on one side of the body, and often the face or trunk. Other symptoms can include fever, headache, chills and upset stomach.

Complications

Extreme pain and very rarely a shingles infection can lead to pneumonia, hearing problems, blindness, brain inflammation (encephalitis) or death.

Transmission

Herpes Zoster (Shingles) is a reactivation of the VZV virus and this condition is not spread through sneezing, coughing or casual contact. Anyone who has recovered from chickenpox may develop shingles. However shingles is more common in people 50 years old or older, people who have medical conditions that keep the immune system from working properly, or people who receive immunosuppressive drugs.

Vaccine

Shingles (Herpes Zoster) vaccine (Zostavax) can prevent this disease.

As an adult, do I need it?

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends a single dose of the shingles (Herpes Zoster) vaccine for adults 60 years old or older. Recommendations made by the ACIP will be reviewed by the Director of CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Recommendations become official when published in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

Vaccine Information Statement

Herpes Zoster (Shingles) Fact Sheet English (pdf)

Herpes Zoster (Shingles) Fact Sheet Spanish (pdf)