Know Shingles

Common symptoms of shingles include a painful, blistering rash, itchiness around the infected area, and fatigue. Complications can occur with vision if shingles affects the eye, potentially leading to impaired vision or, in severe and rare cases, permanent loss of vision.

Shingles can be unpredictable. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how to help protect yourself.

References: 1. Health Direct. Shingles. Available at: www.healthdirect.gov.au/shingles [Accessed April 2026]. 2. CDC. Shingles. Available at: www.cdc.gov/shingles/signs-symptoms/index.html [Accessed April 2026].

Paula was training for a marathon when she got shingles, leaving her unable to run or go to the gym to train. You can get shingles at any age, no matter how healthy you may feel. However, the risk of shingles is higher in people over 50 and people with a weakened immune system or some underlying conditions like asthma or diabetes.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the risk of shingles.

References: 1. Health Direct. Shingles. Available at: www.healthdirect.gov.au/shingles [Accessed April 2026]. 2. CDC. Shingles. Available at: www.cdc.gov/shingles/signs-symptoms/index.html [Accessed April 2026]. 3. Marra F et al. Open Forum Infect Dis 2020;7:ofaa005.

You already know that shingles can develop in anyone who has had chickenpox.
Almost all Australians carry the inactive chickenpox virus by the age of 40, even if they don’t remember having chickenpox.
Your risk of developing shingles increases with age, especially after 50.
But, did you know that adults with certain underlying conditions, like asthma, diabetes, or some cardiovascular conditions, are at an increased risk of shingles compared to adults without those conditions?
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your personal shingles risk and how you can help protect yourself.
Learn more: www.knowshingles.com.au

References: 1. Health Direct. Shingles. Available at: www.healthdirect.gov.au/ shingles [Accessed January 2026]. 2. CDC. Shingles. Available at: www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/index.html [Accessed January 2026]. 3. Gidding HF et al. Epidemiol Infect. 2003;131:1085–9. 4. Holmes CN. Can Fam Physician. 2005 Jan;51(1):60-5. 5. Weinberg A et al. J Infect Dis. 2010;201(7):1024-30. 6. Marra F et al. Open Forum Infec Dis. 2020;7:ofaa005.

Do you know shingles is most common in adults over 50 and can occur regardless of how young, fit or healthy a person feels?
In Australia, it is estimated that over 100,000 people develop shingles every year. Could shingles affect you? Talk to your doctor about the risk and impact of shingles.
Learn more: www.knowshingles.com.au
Reference: MacIntyre R et al. PLoS One. 2015;10(4):e0125025.