Shingles — infographic
3-minute read
Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful blistering rash. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. You can only get shingles if you have had chickenpox in the past.
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Signs and symptoms
- tingling
- burning pain
- itching
- fatigue
- sensitivity to light
- headache
- red, bumpy rash
- blistering rash
Ongoing pain after shingles that lasts for more than 3 months is called post-herpetic neuralgia.
Treatment
There is no cure for shingles, but antiviral medicine can help treat the condition.
- See your doctor for a prescription of antiviral medicines as soon as possible after symptoms develop.
- Start the medicine within 3 days of a rash appearing.
- If you are pregnant, check with your doctor first.
For pain relief, use paracetamol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories.
Vaccination
Vaccination is your best protection against shingles.
The Shingrix vaccine is free for:
- people aged 65 years or older
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years or older
- immunocompromised people aged 18 years or older with certain medical conditions
For everyone else, there is a cost for this vaccine.
Not sure what to do next?
Use healthdirect's Symptom Checker to get advice on when to seek medical attention.