THE VIRUS THAT CAUSES SHINGLES MAY ALREADY BE INSIDE YOU

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1 THE VIRUS THAT CAUSES SHINGLES MAY ALREADY BE INSIDE YOU

2 are you at risk? If you ve had chickenpox, the Shingles virus is already inside you. The virus that causes chickenpox never leaves your body. Instead, it stays in your nervous system, and can reemerge and cause the Shingles rash. So if you ve had chickenpox, you re at risk for Shingles. And 98% of adults in the United States have had chickenpox. Your risk for Shingles increases as you get older. When you re young, your immune system is usually strong enough to keep the virus in check. But your immune system weakens as you age, making it easier for Shingles to break through your body s defenses. That s why it s important to talk to your doctor or a pharmacist about Shingles.

3 THe shingles rash can last UP TO 30 DAYS. The Shingles rash forms where the nerves from the spinal cord connect with the skin. This area is called a dermatome. Usually the rash will only appear along a dermatome located on one side of the body. The Shingles rash is red and blistering, and can last up to 30 days. In many cases, it causes pain that has been described as sharp, shooting, and throbbing. The rash can also be unusually sensitive to the touch. Shingles can cause serious complications. In some cases, people with Shingles may also develop long-term nerve pain, meaning that pain can last for months or even years after the rash has healed. This is called postherpetic neuralgia, or PHN. As you get older, the risk of PHN is greater. Here are some facts about Shingles: There are more than 1 million cases of Shingles each year in the United States. 1 in 3 people will get Shingles during their lifetime. 1 in every 4 people who get Shingles will experience some type of complication. Here is a photo of a typical Shingles rash on a hand.

4 IT can FEEL as bad as it LOOKS. Here are some photos of the Shingles rash, which can take up to 30 days to heal. With a mild Shingles rash, a few blisters appear on the skin. This photo shows a mild case on the hand. With a moderate Shingles rash, a cluster of blisters form, often along one side of the torso, as shown. With a severe Shingles rash, blisters can merge into a large area resembling a burn. Here, the eye is affected by the rash, which can sometimes lead to impaired vision. The pain that accompanies the rash can range from mild to severe. It s hard to predict how severe Shingles will be. So talk to your health care provider about your risk for Shingles soon.

5 talk to your doctor or A pharmacist Here are some questions to help you talk to your health care provider about your risk for Shingles. Print out this page and bring it to your next appointment. Add any other questions you may have in the space provided. 1. Is the Shingles virus inside me? 2. Are there other things that can increase my risk? 3. Are there complications from Shingles that could affect me? 4. Why should I worry about my risk for Shingles? Add your own questions below: If you ve had chickenpox, you re at risk for Shingles. So don t wait to talk to your doctor or a pharmacist. Copyright 2012 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. VACC /12 Printed in USA Minimum 10% Recycled Paper