{"id":14226,"date":"2026-10-26T16:02:27","date_gmt":"2026-10-26T16:02:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/?p=14226"},"modified":"2026-10-26T16:04:33","modified_gmt":"2026-10-26T16:04:33","slug":"the-painful-truth-about-shingles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/2026\/10\/26\/the-painful-truth-about-shingles\/","title":{"rendered":"The Painful Truth About Shingles"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/files\/2022\/02\/iStock-1224302071-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11794\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/files\/2022\/02\/iStock-1224302071-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/files\/2022\/02\/iStock-1224302071-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/files\/2022\/02\/iStock-1224302071-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/files\/2022\/02\/iStock-1224302071-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/files\/2022\/02\/iStock-1224302071-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/files\/2022\/02\/iStock-1224302071-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For many adults, contracting chickenpox was a childhood rite of passage. Fast forward to adulthood, and about one in three people who had chickenpox will eventually develop shingles, a painful rash that often appears when they least expect it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/2026\/10\/26\/the-painful-truth-about-shingles\/#espanol\">Para leer en Espa\u00f1ol, por favor haga clic aqu\u00ed<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox: varicella-zoster, a type of herpes virus,\u201d explains <a href=\"https:\/\/clinicians.cooperhealth.org\/provider\/bennett-s-shenker\/4211910\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bennett Shenker, MD, MS, MSPH, FAAFP<\/a>, Chief and Chair of Family and Community Medicine at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cooperhealth.org\/\">Cooper Norcross Health<\/a>. \u201cAfter you recover from chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in your body and can return at any time, especially after the age of 50.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Risk factors for shingles include:<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Age older than 50&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Certain diseases that weaken the immune system, such as HIV\/AIDS and cancer&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Radiation or chemotherapy&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Prolonged use of steroids or other immunosuppressive treatments&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Recognizing the Signs of Shingles&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although the two diseases are caused by the same virus, the shingles rash differs from the widespread outbreak of chickenpox. The shingles rash is described as clusters of painful, itchy, red bumps on the skin that blister and eventually scab over. Many people feel pain or tingling on the skin before the shingles rash appears. Although uncommon, symptoms such as headache, fever, and sensitivity to light may occur in some patients in the days before the rash appears.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShingles can occur anywhere on the body, but the rash often appears as a strip of blisters that wraps around either the left or right side of your torso,\u201d Dr. Shenker says. \u201cThe rash can also involve your eyes, potentially causing permanent eye damage if left untreated. If shingles develops near your eye, seek medical attention right away.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Treatment and Potential Complications&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Treatment for shingles typically includes antiviral medications and pain management. Antiviral medications work best when started within 72 hours of the rash appearing, so it&#8217;s important to seek medical care promptly if you suspect shingles.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMost cases of shingles will begin to crust over and heal by two to four weeks,\u201d Dr. Shenker says. \u201cA person with active shingles can spread the virus to others when the rash is in the blister phase, so it\u2019s important to keep the rash covered. For people with normal immune systems, the rash is not usually contagious once the blisters crust over.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Someone with shingles can spread the virus to a person who has never had chickenpox or received the chickenpox vaccine, causing chickenpox rather than shingles.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most common complication of shingles is postherpetic neuralgia. For many people, this pain continues long after the shingles blisters have cleared. It has been described as burning, stabbing, throbbing, and\/or shooting pain in the area where the rash appeared. Postherpetic neuralgia pain can last for weeks or months, and occasionally for years.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Protecting Yourself Against Shingles&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The shingles vaccine, called Shingrix, is more than 90% effective at preventing shingles in adults 50 and older with healthy immune systems. The CDC recommends two doses, given two to six months apart, for adults 50 and older. Vaccination is also recommended for adults 19 and older who have weakened immune systems because of disease or treatment. For these patients, the dosing schedule may differ.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shingrix is currently the only shingles vaccine available in the United States. It is offered at many pharmacies and health care providers&#8217; offices. Most adults with Medicare Part D or qualifying private insurance coverage can receive the vaccine at no cost, although coverage may vary.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAlthough the shingles vaccine may not fully prevent shingles, it will likely make an outbreak less painful and severe and reduce your risk of postherpetic neuralgia,\u201d Dr. Shenker says.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are interested in the shingles vaccine and would like more information, please contact your Cooper Norcross Health <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cooperhealth.org\/services\/primary-care-family-medicine-and-internal-medicine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">primary care<\/a> physician or provider by calling <a href=\"tel:800-826-6787\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">800.8.COOPER<\/a> (<a href=\"tel:800-826-6737\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">800.826.6737<\/a>), or use our online <a href=\"https:\/\/request.cooperhealth.org\/request.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">appointment request form<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p><a name=\"espanol\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">La dolorosa verdad sobre el herpes z\u00f3ster<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Para muchos adultos, contraer la varicela fue un rito de paso durante la infancia. Ya en la edad adulta, aproximadamente una de cada tres personas que tuvo varicela llegar\u00e1 a desarrollar herpes z\u00f3ster, una erupci\u00f3n dolorosa que suele aparecer cuando menos se espera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;El herpes z\u00f3ster es causado por el mismo virus que provoca la varicela: el virus varicela-z\u00f3ster, un tipo de virus del herpes,&#8221; explica el <a href=\"https:\/\/clinicians.cooperhealth.org\/provider\/bennett-s-shenker\/4211910\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bennett Shenker, MD, MS, MSPH, FAAFP<\/a>, jefe y director del Departamento de Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria de <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cooperhealth.org\/\">Cooper Norcross Health<\/a>. &#8220;Tras recuperarse de la varicela, el virus permanece latente en el organismo y puede reactivarse en cualquier momento, especialmente despu\u00e9s de los 50 a\u00f1os.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Los factores de riesgo para el herpes z\u00f3ster incluyen:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tener m\u00e1s de 50 a\u00f1os<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ciertas enfermedades que debilitan el sistema inmunitario, como el VIH\/sida y el c\u00e1ncer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Radioterapia o quimioterapia<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Uso prolongado de esteroides u otros tratamientos inmunosupresores&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reconocimiento de los signos del herpes z\u00f3ster<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aunque ambas enfermedades son causadas por el mismo virus, la erupci\u00f3n del herpes z\u00f3ster es distinta al brote generalizado de la varicela. La erupci\u00f3n del herpes z\u00f3ster se describe como grupos de protuberancias rojas, dolorosas y que causan picaz\u00f3n; estas forman ampollas que, con el tiempo, se cubren de costras. Muchas personas experimentan dolor u hormigueo en la piel antes de que aparezca la erupci\u00f3n. Aunque no es frecuente, algunos pacientes pueden presentar s\u00edntomas como dolor de cabeza, fiebre y sensibilidad a la luz en los d\u00edas previos a la aparici\u00f3n de la erupci\u00f3n.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;El herpes z\u00f3ster puede manifestarse en cualquier parte del cuerpo, pero la erupci\u00f3n suele aparecer como una franja de ampollas que rodea el lado izquierdo o derecho del torso,&#8221; explica el Dr. Shenker. &#8220;La erupci\u00f3n tambi\u00e9n puede afectar a los ojos, lo que podr\u00eda causar da\u00f1os oculares permanentes si no se trata. Si el herpes z\u00f3ster aparece cerca de un ojo, busque atenci\u00f3n m\u00e9dica de inmediato.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tratamiento y posibles complicaciones<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">El tratamiento para el herpes z\u00f3ster suele incluir medicamentos antivirales y el control del dolor. Los antivirales son m\u00e1s eficaces cuando se administran dentro de las 72 horas posteriores a la aparici\u00f3n de la erupci\u00f3n; por ello, es importante buscar atenci\u00f3n m\u00e9dica de inmediato si sospecha que padece esta afecci\u00f3n.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;En la mayor\u00eda de los casos de herpes z\u00f3ster, la erupci\u00f3n comienza a formar costras y a sanar en un plazo de dos a cuatro semanas,&#8221; se\u00f1ala el Dr. Shenker. &#8220;Una persona con herpes z\u00f3ster activo puede transmitir el virus a otros mientras la erupci\u00f3n se encuentra en la fase de ampollas; por lo tanto, es fundamental mantener la zona cubierta. En personas con un sistema inmunitario sano, la erupci\u00f3n generalmente deja de ser contagiosa una vez que las ampollas forman costras.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Una persona con herpes z\u00f3ster puede transmitir el virus a alguien que nunca haya tenido varicela ni haya recibido la vacuna contra ella, lo que provocar\u00eda varicela en lugar de herpes z\u00f3ster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">La complicaci\u00f3n m\u00e1s frecuente del herpes z\u00f3ster es la neuralgia posherp\u00e9tica. En muchos casos, este dolor persiste mucho tiempo despu\u00e9s de que las ampollas han desaparecido. Se describe como una sensaci\u00f3n de ardor, punzadas, latidos o dolor agudo (tipo descarga el\u00e9ctrica) en la zona donde apareci\u00f3 la erupci\u00f3n. El dolor de la neuralgia posherp\u00e9tica puede prolongarse durante semanas o meses, e incluso, en ocasiones, durante a\u00f1os.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">C\u00f3mo protegerse contra el herpes z\u00f3ster<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">La vacuna contra el herpes z\u00f3ster, llamada Shingrix, tiene una eficacia superior al 90 % para prevenir esta afecci\u00f3n en adultos de 50 a\u00f1os o m\u00e1s con un sistema inmunitario sano. Los CDC recomiendan administrar dos dosis, con un intervalo de dos a seis meses, a los adultos de 50 a\u00f1os o m\u00e1s. La vacunaci\u00f3n tambi\u00e9n se recomienda para adultos de 19 a\u00f1os o m\u00e1s cuyo sistema inmunitario est\u00e9 debilitado debido a una enfermedad o a un tratamiento m\u00e9dico. En el caso de estos pacientes, el esquema de vacunaci\u00f3n puede variar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Actualmente, Shingrix es la \u00fanica vacuna contra el herpes z\u00f3ster disponible en los Estados Unidos. Se ofrece en muchas farmacias y consultorios m\u00e9dicos. La mayor\u00eda de los adultos que cuentan con Medicare Parte D o con un seguro m\u00e9dico privado que cumpla con los requisitos pueden recibir la vacuna sin costo alguno, aunque la cobertura puede variar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u00abSi bien la vacuna contra el herpes z\u00f3ster tal vez no prevenga la enfermedad por completo, es probable que, en caso de producirse un brote, este sea menos doloroso y grave; adem\u00e1s, reduce el riesgo de desarrollar neuralgia posherp\u00e9tica\u00bb, se\u00f1ala el Dr. Shenker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Si le interesa recibir la vacuna contra el herpes z\u00f3ster y desea obtener m\u00e1s informaci\u00f3n, comun\u00edquese con su m\u00e9dico de atenci\u00f3n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cooperhealth.org\/services\/primary-care-family-medicine-and-internal-medicine\">primaria o proveedor<\/a> de salud de Cooper Norcross Health llamando al <a href=\"tel:800-826-6787\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">800.8.COOPER<\/a> (<a href=\"tel:800-826-6737\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">800.826.6737<\/a>), o bien, utilice nuestro <a href=\"https:\/\/request.cooperhealth.org\/request.php\">formulario en l\u00ednea para solicitar<\/a> una cita.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For many adults, contracting chickenpox was a childhood rite of passage. Fast forward to adulthood, and about one in three people who had chickenpox will eventually\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":48,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14226","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ehealth-connection"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Painful Truth About Shingles - eHealth Connection<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/2026\/10\/26\/the-painful-truth-about-shingles\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Painful Truth About Shingles - eHealth Connection\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"For many adults, contracting chickenpox was a childhood rite of passage. 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