Loose Women: Eamonn Holmes discusses his issues with shingles
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Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. Early symptoms may not always appear on the skin, however.
It’s important to get advice from 111 as soon as possible if you think you have shingles, warns the NHS.
Medication might be needed to speed up the recovery process and to avoid longer-lasting issues.
It is critical to get treated within three days of symptom onset.
According to WebMD lesser-known symptoms of shingles include:
- Rash
- Vertigo
- Buzzing in the ears
- Rapid onset weakness
- Double vision
- Face droop
- Confusion.
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.
If your immune system is healthy, your chances of having shingles again in the first several years is lower than it is for people who have never had shingles.
Your chances of a second bout go up over time, but one study suggests within seven years the odds of getting shingles again are about five percent.
Your skin can be painful for weeks after the rash has gone, but it usually gets better over time.
If you get shingles after being vaccinated, the symptoms can be much milder.
More common symptoms include:
- Localised burning, tingling, itching, prickling pain
- Fluid-filled blisters appearing red and inflamed
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Headache.
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