Spotlight on Shingles: Know What You Can Do

Spotlight on Shingles: Know What You Can Do seeks to raise awareness and understanding among older people in the U.S., healthcare providers and caregivers about shingles and its potential complications. The campaign is sponsored by the American Pain Foundation (APF), with support from Merck & Co., Inc.

 In a recent U.S. survey of more than 1,200 people at risk for shingles, three-quarters admitted they knew only some (25 percent), a little (27 percent), or almost nothing (23 percent) about shingles—even though 87 percent said they had heard of the disease.

Explore the Spotlight Shingles Fact Sheet (HTML) or (PDF) Signs & Symptoms of Shingles Treatment Options for Shingles Treatment Options for Post-Herpetic Neuralgia Shingles/PHN Links & Resources Shingles/PHN Clinical Trials PainAid: Specific Disorders - Discussion on Shingles National Survey of Shingles & Older Americans APF Member Survey on Shingles/PHN Spotlight on Shingles Press Release Webinar Replay - Spotlight on Shingles: Know What You Can Do

 

Shingles is a disease caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you have chickenpox, the chickenpox virus remains inactive in your body in certain nerves. If the virus does become active again, usually later in life, it causes shingles. If you’ve had chickenpox, you are at risk for shingles. More than 90% of adults in the United States have had chickenpox.

News: CDC Recommends Shingles Vaccine

Almost one out of three people in America will develop shingles during their lifetime, with greater risk to people over age 60. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that the only way to reduce the risk of developing shingles and the long-term pain that can follow shingles is to get vaccinated. For more details, please visit the CDC website.

 

Learn more about shingles and what you can do by reviewing our Shingles section. and visiting the Spotlight on Shingles website.

 

 

 

The American Pain Foundation is solely responsible for the content, and maintains editorial control, of all materials and publications it produces. We gratefully acknowledge those who support our work. This project was underwritten by an educational grant from Merck & Co., Inc.

 

 

 

Last Updated: 07/29/09