What is shingles ?

Shingles is an infectious disease caused by the varicella virus. If you have had chickenpox, the virus will lie dormant in your body after your recovery. When the body is strong, the immune system can suppress the virus; but when the body becomes weak and the immunity is weakened, it is easy to get sick and develop shingles. When shingles attacks, the nerve line on one side is usually infected, and the side of the lower back is the most common site of disease. So the blisters can appear on the left or right side of the body. Sometimes rashes and blisters appear on hands, feet, and face; symptoms of shingles include:

 
     Rashes and blisters (usually on one side of the face or body)
     The blisters will spread into ribbon-shaped "blister clusters"
     Stinging, burning, numbness in the affected area
     Nerve pain (last for months, or even years)
     Fever, muscle aches, or headache

Who are the high-risk individuals?

How to prevent shingles?

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent shingles. Although there is still a chance of contracting the disease after vaccination, the symptoms and pain will be mild. There are two shingles vaccines on the market, including Shingrix and Zostavax vaccines:

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