Shingles is a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the virus that causes chickenpox. This can lead to a painful rash accompanied by blisters. Shingles is also shingles.
You may have read that some other people develop shingles after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. While this is possible, it is still rare.
This article covers the link between the COVID-19 vaccine and shingles, other non-unusual reasons for shingles, and how doctors treat shingles. Read on to learn more.
Published reports show that other people may develop shingles days or weeks after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
In a 2021 review of studies, experts reviewed reports of others contracting shingles after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. They found that many other people who had shingles after vaccination had existing problems that could increase the likelihood of developing shingles. These points come with adulthood, immune disorders, and cancer.
Research shows that shingles after COVID-19 vaccines is primarily linked to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, adding those produced by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.
Experts still don’t know why COVID-19 vaccines may increase the risk of shingles. This can occur because of changes in immune structure that occur after receiving a vaccine.
Research on this topic can also be contradictory. Let’s take a look at two other studies.
A 2022 examination of other people who went to a clinic to get an mRNA vaccine with an organization of other unvaccinated people who went to a clinic for any other reason.
The researchers found that 0. 2% and 0. 11% of vaccinated and unvaccinated people, respectively, developed shingles within 60 days of their clinic visits.
Although the researchers found an increased frequency of shingles after mRNA vaccines, they found that this localization is unique to COVID-19 vaccines. Experts practice this with vaccines for other diseases.
The researchers also noted that their study did not determine whether other people in their organization had possible risk points for shingles.
Although the previous study noted that there might be an increased risk of getting shingles after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, a 2021 study had conflicting results.
This study compares the onset of shingles over a 28-day period after receiving an mRNA vaccine or being diagnosed with a skin disease. People in the current organization had no known history of COVID-19 vaccination.
The researchers matched those two teams of Americans 1-to-1 on aspects such as age, sex, race or ethnicity and medical history. After this comparison, they did not observe an increased risk of shingles between the two teams.
You can also spread shingles after you have COVID-19. Another 2021 review of studies noted that peak shingles cases occur 1 to 2 weeks after having COVID-19 and have a typical presentation.
Older people are more likely to develop shingles after having COVID-19. In the 2022 study, researchers looked at shingles in other people who had experienced COVID-19 and others who had not. All other people in the study were older than 50.
Compared to others who had not had COVID-19, those who had experienced it were 15% more likely to develop shingles. That chance has risen to 21% for others who have been hospitalized with COVID-19.
Like shingles after a COVID-19 vaccine, it’s not clear why COVID-19 can lead to shingles. This can occur due to an immune disorder that occurs from COVID-19.
VZV is a type of herpesvirus. It is a viral circle of relatives that also includes herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2, culprits of oral and genital herpes respectively. Like those viruses, VZV can lie dormant in nerves after a first infection.
In some cases, the VZV may be reactivated. When this happens, it travels down the nerves until it reaches the skin, resulting in the characteristic shingles rash.
In general, almost everyone who has had chickenpox can spread shingles. Although experts don’t yet know what causes VZV reactivation, they do know that reactivation is due to points that can lower immunity, such as:
Doctors can treat shingles with antiviral medicines. These medicines can make shingles shorter and less severe, and can prevent shingles headaches, such as postherpetic neuralgia.
Some types of antiviral medicines doctors use to treat shingles include:
Antiviral medicines may be more effective if you start taking them soon after shingles symptoms appear. Therefore, contact a doctor immediately if you think you have shingles.
You can also check out the following at home to recover:
You can save your shingles by getting the shingles vaccine. This vaccine is called Shingrix.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two doses of Shingrix for many adults age 50 and older, as well as for others with weakened immune systems who are 19 or older.
Since shingles can be caused by intense tension, you can also explore tactics to lessen the tension in your life. Here are some examples of things you can look at:
While all of the above things can reduce stress levels, they surely can’t stop you from getting shingles. Experts say the most effective way to reduce your risk of shingles is to get a shingles vaccine when you’re eligible.
Some experts proposed that it would be a good idea for other people with autoimmune diseases to get vaccinated against COVID-19. This is because other people with autoimmune diseases may have a weakened immune formula because they take immunosuppressive medications to treat their illnesses.
People with weakened immune systems may be more likely to get severe COVID-19, according to the CDC. Experts say the vaccine could be effective compared to the severity of the disease. Talk to your doctor to learn more about COVID. -19 vaccine and see if it is right for you.
A COVID-19 vaccine can cause an autoimmune outbreak. A 2022 review of studies noted that existing evidence sometimes does not pose a greater threat of outbreaks after COVID-19 vaccination.
However, he also noted that outbreaks are still imaginable after vaccination, especially in other people with higher disease activity. The authors went on to say that those outbreaks are occasionally mild and do not require more extensive treatment.
Experts on the floor say that since other people with autoimmune diseases might have a higher chance of contracting COVID-19, the benefits of getting vaccinated could outweigh the potential threat of an outbreak.
Other vaccines would possibly increase your risk of shingles. VZV reactivation is linked to other vaccines. A 2021 review of studies noted that they come with vaccines for:
Yes, you can get shingles if you have been vaccinated against chickenpox. This is because it is a vaccine, meaning it uses a weakened form of VZV.
However, according to the CDC, shingles in other people who have a chickenpox vaccine is much rarer than in others who have had an herbal chickenpox infection.
No, you can’t get shingles if you’ve never had chickenpox. Shingles is a reactivation of VZV, the virus that causes chickenpox. To have shingles, you must have had chickenpox or received the chickenpox vaccine.
Chickenpox can be serious in adults. If you haven’t had chickenpox or haven’t been vaccinated against chickenpox, experts recommend that getting vaccinated against chickenpox can prevent you from getting chickenpox infection.
Shingles is a reactivation of VZV that can cause a painful rash. Shingles may spread after COVID-19 vaccination and after you have COVID-19.
This is not express for COVID-19. Other vaccines and infections are related to the appearance of shingles. Experts don’t know the reasons yet, but it’s most likely similar to changes or disorders in the immune system.
You can treat shingles with a combination of antiviral medications and home care. Experts say that getting a shingles vaccine when you should have it can reduce your risk of getting shingles.
Last exam on 14 October 2022
Our experts monitor the fitness and wellness area, and we update our articles as new data becomes available.
Current version
October 14, 2022
By means of
Jill Seladi-Schulman, PhD
Edited by
Willow banks
Medically proven by
Meredith Goodwin MD, FAAFP
Copy edited by
Sofia Santamarina
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Shingles, or shingles, when the latent chickenpox virus reactivates in nerve tissue.
Shingles, called shingles, is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Learn more here.
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