ALERT: The odd symptoms of shingles to watch out for amid new warning

New research has revealed the odd symptoms of shingles to watch out for Shingles Awareness Week.

GSK Ireland today released new data from an Irish survey highlighting some significant gaps in the understanding of shingles risk among people aged 50 and over.

Those over 50 are already at risk of the disease with almost two thirds (64%) believing that shingles will have an extremely negative impact on their quality of life.

The launch of the survey findings is part of Shingles Awareness Week (26 February 2024 - 3 March 2024), a global campaign led by GSK in collaboration with the International Federation on Ageing (IFA).

Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox.

By age 50, VZV is present in most adults,which may reactivate with advancing age.

As people age, the strength of the immune system response to infection wanes, increasing the risk of developing shingles.

Shingles typically presents as a rash, with painful blisters across the chest, abdomen, or face.

The pain is often described as aching, burning, stabbing or shock-like.

Following the rash, a person can also experience post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a long-lasting nerve pain that can last weeks or months and can occasionally persist for several years.

PHN is the most common complication of shingles, occurring in 20% of all shingles cases.

The aim is to raise awareness and address the lack of knowledge about the risks and impact of shingles and to encourage those at risk to speak with their doctor, practice nurse or pharmacist about the risk factors for shingles and shingles prevention.

The GSK ‘Understanding Shingles’ research, conducted in Ireland, reveals that 71% of respondents perceive shingles to be a serious disease with 56% of respondents feeling that they are at high risk of developing shingles.

It also shows that people over 50 in Ireland have good awareness of the common symptoms of shingles – including a red rash (97%), severe pain (88%), blisters (77%) and long-term nerve pain (77%).

However, only 58% of those asked were aware that one of the possible complications of shingles on the eye can cause blindness.

Knowledge also differed on contributing factors such as a weakened immune system (68%), being under stress (45%) and age-related declining immunity (48%).

One-in-three people who have had chickenpox are at risk of developing shingles in their lifetime.6 The disease, which typically presents as a rash, with painful blisters across the chest, abdomen or face,7 is often described as aching, burning, stabbing or shock-like.

Following the shingles rash, a person can also experience post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a long-lasting nerve pain that can last weeks or months and occasionally persist for several years. 

PHN occurs in around 20% of all shingles cases, with the over-50s particularly at risk.

Eavan Daly, Country Medical Director, GSK Ireland, said: “It is so important that we continue our efforts to raise awareness of the risk of shingles in adults over 50. Market research conducted in Ireland shows that many older adults have limited knowledge of the condition and who is most at risk. Shingles can be a debilitating disease that can significantly impact the quality of day-to-day life for those impacted. During our disease awareness campaign launching this week, we’re asking people over the age of 50 to talk to a healthcare professional about this painful condition that will affect many of us in our lifetime. Based on our market research and feedback from health care professionals we’ve found that disease awareness campaigns like this can help encourage people to learn more about the condition and discuss it with their health care professional.”

Martina Phelan, Chair of Chronic Pain Ireland, said: “Shingles can be very painful and can feel like burning, shooting, stabbing or even constant unbearable itching. It does not happen to everyone, and it may only last for a few weeks, but some people can experience postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a chronic condition that is difficult to treat and may cause pain for months, or longer. We are pleased to be part of this Shingles disease awareness campaign, which we see as an important way to help adults understand their risks and the potential complications associated with this disease.

Visit HERE to learn more about shingles.

To help improve public awareness of shingles, GSK Ireland will be running a shingles disease awareness campaign across television and radio as well as outdoor advertisements including billboards and bus shelters.

These encourage the public to speak to a healthcare professional.