The Mayo Clinic notes that the signs and symptoms of shingles usually affect only a small section of one side of your body, and they can include signs such as pain, burning, numbness or tingling.
The organisation also notes a number of other signs:
- Sensitivity to touch
- A red rash that begins a few days after the pain
- Fluid-filled blisters that break open and crust over
- Itching
It says that some people will also experience a fever, a headache, sensitivity to light, and fatigue.
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A shingles vaccine is available on the NHS for people in their 70s. It helps reduce your risk of getting shingles.
In 2013, there were about 50,000 cases of shingles in people above 70 in England and Wales every year, and about 50 of these cases resulted in death.
You can get shingles more than once, but this is very rare.
According to WebMD, experts don’t know how many people get shingles more than once, but it comes back more often in people with weakened immune systems.
The CDC states: “Several antiviral medicines—acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir—are available to treat shingles and shorten the length and severity of the illness.
“These medicines are most effective if you start taking them as soon as possible after the rash appears. If you think you have shingles, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible to discuss treatment.
“Pain medicine, either over-the-counter or a prescription from your doctor, may help relieve the pain caused by shingles. Wet compresses, calamine lotion, and colloidal oatmeal baths (a lukewarm bath mixed with ground up oatmeal) may help relieve itching.”
It adds: “Some people have a greater risk of getting shingles. This includes people who have medical conditions that keep their immune systems from working properly.”
