Not Just an “Old Person’s Disease”, Here’s Why You Should Know the Signs and Risks
When most people think about shingles, they picture a disease that only affects older adults. While it's true that your risk goes up as you age, shingles can happen at almost any age. Although uncommon in children and teens, younger adults are getting it more often than you might expect. There have been a few well-known younger people who have gotten shingles in recent years. Justin Bieber developed shingles in 2022, as part of Ramsay Hunt syndrome. In his late 20's, the condition caused temporary facial paralysis. Gwyneth Paltrow had shingles in her 30s. She linked it to high stress and overworking, which weakens the immune system. In early 2024, San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama developed shingles, even though he was in his early 20's and in peak physical condition.
What is shingles?
Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus. After you recover from chickenpox, the virus stays in your body, lying dormant in your nerves. Years later, it can reactivate and cause shingles (herpes zoster). The condition often starts with a strange sensation in one area of the body. You might notice tingling, itching or burning before anything shows on your skin. A few days later, a rash appears, usually forming on one side of the body or face and following a stripe-like pattern. The rash turns into small fluid-filled blisters that can be very painful. Other common symptoms include fever, headache and feeling tired.
What affects shingles risk?
Age is a big risk factor because the immune system tends to weaken over time. But it's not the only one. Younger adults can get shingles too, especially if their immune system is under stress. This can happen with illness, certain medications, a chronic lack of sleep or high levels of ongoing stress. People with conditions that affect the immune system may also be at higher risk, no matter their age. One of the best ways to lower your risk of developing shingles is to keep your immune system strong. That means getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet and managing stress when you can. Regular physical activity also helps support your immune health. There's also a vaccine that protects against shingles. It's most often recommended for adults age 50 and older, but in some cases, younger adults at high risk may be advised to get it. If you aren't sure if it's right for you, talk to your doctor.
What if you got the chickenpox vaccine?
Many people today have never had chickenpox because they were vaccinated as children. If you've been vaccinated against chickenpox, you may be wondering if you can still get shingles. It turns out that you can, but it's much less likely, and if you do get it, it's usually milder. That's because the chickenpox vaccine uses a weakened form of the varicella-zoster virus. Just like a natural infection, this weakened virus can stay in the body and become active later on. However, because the virus is weaker, the risk of shingles is much lower compared to someone who actually had chickenpox.
What should you do if you have shingles?
If you notice symptoms of shingles, don't wait to see a doctor. Early treatment can make a difference. Antiviral medications can shorten how long the illness lasts, make symptoms milder and may reduce the risk of long-term nerve pain, which is one of the most common complications of the disease.
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