Suffered From Chickenpox? Here’s Why You Could Be at Risk of Shingles!

This article is sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals.

In the last week of April, World Immunization Week is commemorated worldwide to celebrate the lifesaving power of vaccines. The ultimate objective of the event is to educate the public to protect themselves from vaccine-preventable diseases. 

While vaccination is often associated with childhood, it is also crucial for adults. Various research points to the fact that the immune system wanes as you age¹. Gradually, its response to invading microbes slows down, and the body takes longer to recover due to fewer immune cells. Sadly, this increases the risk of contracting serious illnesses such as hepatitis, tetanus, shingles and more. 

If you haven’t heard of shingles, then it is high time you know about it. Why? According to global data, one out of every three people 50 years and above may develop shingles in a lifetime². So, it is important to arm yourself with information and stay protected than be taken by surprise. 

What is Shingles?

Commonly known as akki, daapad, and naagin, shingles is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) — the same virus that causes chickenpox. This virus stays in the body and can reactivate later in life to cause shingles³. Now if you think about it, almost all of us have either experienced chickenpox or know of someone who has. 

But what really is shingles? Shingles causes a painful rash that may appear as a stripe of blisters⁴. The early symptoms of shingles can manifest in the form of itching, tingling, burning, fever, body or headaches⁵, and pain over dermatome areas. 

The pain of shingles can feel like electric shocks, nail piercing, and an unbearable burning sensation^6#. In some cases, the pain is said to be more painful than labour pain and can persist for even months⁷!

Although it can occur at any age, the disease is most common among people 50 years or older⁸. And so, it is important for people to seek advice from healthcare professionals to understand the disease better and discuss its prevention.

Shingles causes a painful rash that may appear as a stripe of blisters.

“In pursuit of good health, protect yourself from shingles to secure a happy future life” says, Dr Sunil Kumar Gupta, MBBS, MD, DM (Medical Oncology), Principal Director & HOD Haemato-Medical Oncology & BMT at Venkateshwar Hospital. 

Myths and misconceptions around shingles

Despite its lifetime prevalence, there’s a lack of awareness of shingles among people. In 2023, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals (GSK) — one of the world’s largest research-based pharmaceutical companies headquartered in London — conducted a global survey⁹ to find widespread misunderstandings about shingles. The online research, which surveyed 3,500 adults aged 50 years across 12 countries — including China, the US, Germany, the UK, Australia, and India, assessed respondents’ understanding of shingles⁹.

The survey revealed that 39 percent of respondents believed that “you can’t develop shingles if you’ve already had it”. In fact, the survey also found that 83.5 percent of adults in India underestimate the risk of shingles¹⁰.

Dr Daniel Verdi¹¹, a senior medical director at GSK, says the biggest misconception is that people living a healthy lifestyle believe they are not at risk. “If you’ve had chickenpox or even if you’re a healthy, active person, you are at risk for shingles. I encourage all adults 50 years and older to speak with their doctor to know more about how they can reduce their risk of shingles through vaccination,” he suggests.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for shingles. However, treatment with antivirals to reduce the severity of the illness, antihistamines NSAIDs, and analgesics are used to comfort the patient. One of the best ways of shingles prevention is through vaccination¹² — developing the immune system, which helps fight the virus and prevents it from reactivating¹³.

Prevention is better than cure and it is important to at least protect yourself from vaccine-preventable diseases. So, consult your doctor and pledge to protect yourself and your family members from shingles.

#Individual patient symptoms of shingles may vary. These statements are based on some patient’s description of their shingles pain and do not represent every patient’s experience.

Disclaimer: A public awareness initiative by GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Limited. Dr Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai 400 030, India. Information appearing in this material is for general awareness only. Nothing contained in this material constitutes medical advice. Please consult your doctor for medical advice or any question or concern you may have regarding your condition. Please consult your doctor for the complete list of vaccine-preventable diseases and the complete vaccination schedule for each disease. The views and opinions of the Health Care Professional in this material are their own and does not reflect those of GSK.  All scientific information is validated, for details write to us on askus@gsk.com.

CL Code: NP-IN-HZU-ADVR-240002

Sources:

1. Simon AK et al. Proc Biol Sci 2015;282:2014–3085.
2. Harpaz R et al. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2008 Jun 6;57(RR-5):1-30.
3. Weaver BA. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2009;109(6 Suppl 2):S2
4. CDC Shingles (Herpes Zoster) Clinical overview. Available from: Clinical Overview of Herpes Zoster (Shingles) | CDC Accessed August 2023.
5. https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/symptoms.html
6. Yawn B;Neurology;2013;81;1-209 
7. CDC Shingles(Herpes Zoster) Complications. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/complications.html
8. Harpaz R et al. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2008 Jun 6;57(RR-5):1-30.
9. New global survey finds widespread misunderstandings about shingles despite its lifetime prevalence: By GSK published on 30 November 2023.
10. Weaver BA. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2009;109(6 Suppl 2):S2
11. If you are 50 and older, you may be at risk for shingles. But you can take action: By GSK published on 28 February 2022.
12. CDC Shingles (Herpes Zoster) Vaccination. Available from https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/vaccination.html. Accessed 2nd May 2024.
13. CDC Understanding How Vaccines Work. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/conversations/understanding-vacc-work.html

(Edited by Pranita Bhat; Photo credit: http://www.myvaccinationhub.in)