Introduction

Shingles (herpes zoster) is a viral infection that affects sensory nerves and the skin surface served by those nerves (dermatomes). An estimated 200,000 people in the UK are affected every year.

It can be a challenge to diagnose shingles as the pain can precede the rash by several days. Once the rash has appeared, patients will often attend the pharmacy already suspecting they have shingles.

Treatment timetables are important. The sooner antivirals are prescribed for eligible patients, the less likely it is that they will suffer post-herpetic neuralgia, a chronic condition that causes severe and debilitating pain, which can be long-lasting.

The risk of developing shingles increases as a person gets older and it predominantly affects those over 70 years of age, although it is sometimes seen in young people and children. Shingles is a reactivation of a previous chickenpox (varicella zoster) infection, sometimes from decades ago.

Early intervention can help reduce both the severity and duration of shingles. There is also good evidence that a shingles vaccine can prevent the disease in older people.