News and Updates 》What is Shingles?
What is Shingles and why should we get ourselves vaccinated?
Written By: Dr Zhao Runfeng
Updated On: 26th August 2024
Image credits: Healthline.com
Shingles - What is it?
Shingles, also referred to as "Creeping Snake" or "生蛇," is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster (chickenpox) virus.
It presents as painful rash along the distribution of nerves in the skin. Although the rash usually heals within a few weeks, some people, particularly older adults, may experience lingering pain known as post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), which can persist for months or even years.
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Shingles occurs only in people who have had a prior chicken pox infection. This is because the virus, which remains dormant in their bodies, can reactivate and cause shingles.
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If you have never developed chickenpox, you will not develop Shingles. However,​ you can catch the infection through direct contact with the fluid from shingles rash blisters, or even from breathing in virus particles shed by the blisters. You will contract chicken pox and not shingles, though this infection would then put you at risk of getting shingles in the future.
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Local actor Nick Shen once shared on social media the weeks of pain he suffered when he had shingles. Part of his face was paralysed and he was hospitalised for five days.
Shingles can also lead to serious complications like vision loss, hearing impairment, and lung infections, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems.
Image credits: abdmalekmd/iStock via Getty Images Plus
Example of a Shingles rash
What is the Shingles Vaccine?
Shingrix is the Shingles vaccine available in Singapore and our clinics. It consists of a 2 dose regime and is over 90% effective in preventing compromised adults from getting Shingles.
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At DFC, our Shingles vaccine costs $400 for a single dose, and $780 for two doses.
Is the Shingles vaccine really effective at protecting against Shingles?
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Fortunately, Shingles can indeed be prevented with vaccination. The Shingrix vaccine is strongly recommended for adults aged 50 and older. This non-live vaccine offers excellent protection against shingles.
Clinical studies have shown that Shingrix is 97.2% effective at preventing shingles in older adults, with protection lasting for at least seven years. The vaccine is given in two doses, spaced two to six months apart, and does not require a booster shot.
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Shingrix can be administered even if you've had shingles previously or received the Zostavax vaccine. While the vaccine is generally safe, common side effects may include redness, swelling, or pain at the injection site, along with temporary symptoms like fever, fatigue, headache, and body aches.
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Shingrix provides strong protection against shingles and its complications, significantly lowering the risk of PHN. If you are 50 or older or have pre-existing medical conditions such as Diabetes, talk to your healthcare provider about getting the Shingrix vaccine to reduce your risk of shingles and its potentially painful effects.
Sources Citations, Useful Articles and Latest Updates:
https://www.healthline.com/health/shingles-lesions
https://www.ncid.sg/News-Events/News/Pages/What-is-shingles-and-how-is-it-prevented.aspx