Shingles Q&As
Published by Bupa's health information team, December 2008.
Answers to questions about shingles
This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.
- Is there a shingles vaccine?
- Can I go swimming if I have shingles?
- What can I do to help relieve post-herpetic neuralgia?
Is there a shingles vaccine?
Yes, there is a vaccine for shingles but it hasn't been approved for use in the UK. In the US, people over 60 can receive the shingles vaccine (Zostavax). There is a vaccine against chickenpox that is available in the UK. However, this isn't given routinely.
Explanation
A vaccine that reduces the risk of developing shingles is available in the US to people who are over 60. Although shingles can affect anyone at any age, you're more at risk of the condition as you get older. Some people who have been vaccinated still get shingles, but it appears that these people have a lower risk of developing post-herpetic neuralgia - pain that can continue for weeks or months after the rash has gone.
The shingles vaccine can't be used to treat shingles or post-herpetic neuralgia if you already have the condition.
A vaccine against chickenpox is available in the UK, but it isn't given routinely to all children. It's recommended that healthcare workers who haven't had chickenpox have the vaccine. This is to prevent them from getting the infection from patients who may have it, and also to protect patients who may be at risk of serious illness if they come into contact with someone who has the virus.
Sources
- US CDC advisory panel votes to recommend shingles vaccine Zostavax for vaccination of adults aged 60 and over. National electronic Library for Medicines. www.nelm.nhs.uk, accessed 2 September 2008
- Zostavax product information. US Food and Drug Administration. www.fda.gov, accessed 2 September 2008
- Varicella (chickenpox). NHS Immunisation Information. www.immunisation.nhs.uk, accessed 2 September 2008
Can I go swimming if I have shingles?
No, if you have shingles, you shouldn't go swimming as this could put other people at risk of infection. It may also put you at risk of developing further infection if your rash is exposed to bacteria that may be in the water. It's important to keep the rash clean and dry.
Explanation
If you go swimming while you have shingles, you're putting other people at risk of becoming infected. Your rash is still infectious until the blisters have dried and started to form scabs.
If you have shingles, it's important that you keep the rash as clean and dry as possible. This will help to protect against infection from bacteria that could lead to more serious infection. Swimming pools can be sources of infection if the water isn't always as purified as it should be.
If you usually take part in contact sports such as rugby or football, you should stop playing them until your rash is better.
Sources
- Shingles. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. http://cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed 2 September 2008
- Infectious diseases in the news. Health Protection Agency. www.hpa.org.uk, accessed 2 September 2008
What can I do to help relieve post-herpetic neuralgia?
Your doctor may prescribe you medicines that are usually used to treat other conditions, such as antidepressants. You may also be offered a treatment that you apply to your skin.
Explanation
Post-herpetic neuralgia (pain along the path of a nerve) can last for a long time after the rash from shingles clears up. It can be very painful. If you have severe pain that isn't relieved by over-the-counter painkillers, you may be prescribed medicines that are usually used to treat other conditions that affect the nervous system. These include gabapentin which is mainly used to treat epilepsy and amitriptyline which is an antidepressant. These medicines can have an effect on your nerves and help to relieve pain.
It's possible that you will be offered a treatment that you apply to your skin. This is most likely to be a cream that contains a substance called capsaicin. Capsaicin is found in vegetables such as peppers and chillies but there is evidence that it can provide pain-relief.
If capsaicin cream isn't effective or it causes many side-effects, you may be offered plasters or patches that contain the local anaesthetic medicine lidocaine.
A variety of other treatments have been tried for post-herpetic neuralgia including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), acupuncture and surgery. However, there is no strong evidence that these are effective in the long-term and you should try the treatments described above first. Always ask your doctor for advice and read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
Sources
- Post-herpetic neuralgia - management. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. http://cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed 2 September 2008
- Joint Formulary Committee, British National Formulary. 55th ed. London: British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, 2008
Related topics
This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.
Publication date: December 2008
Shingles factsheet
Visit the shingles health factsheet for more information.
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