What are the symptoms of shingles?

This is what shingles looks like:

• Shingles starts with itching, tingling or severe, burning or stabbing pain.
• A few days later, blisters form in small clusters, usually on the torso or around the abdomen or waist. The blisters are almost always on one side of the body.
• People may sometimes only have itching and pain, without a rash or blisters.
• After 7 to 10 days, the blisters usually dry up and scab over. The scabs fall off on their own.
• Even after the scabs are gone, some people may have persistent pain or tingling at the locations where the shingles blisters were.

Shingles can sometimes cause severe symptoms – for example if facial nerves are affected. If that happens, it could lead to blisters on the face, eye infections, hearing loss, vertigo or facial paralysis.

How does shingles spread?

Chickenpox and shingles are caused by the varicella zoster virus. After a person has chickenpox, the virus remains in the body in a dormant (inactive) state. If a person’s immune response is impaired, the virus can be reactivated. At that point, they may develop shingles. The risk is highest among people over 60. Shingles is usually not serious, but it is unpleasant and sometimes painful. A person who has shingles once may also have it a second time.

How can I prevent shingles?

There is a vaccination against shingles. You can discuss with your GP whether this vaccination could be right for you. You can find more information on the page about the shingles vaccination.

The fluid from the blisters is contagious: it can transmit the varicella zoster virus. If a person has never had chickenpox, they may get chickenpox if they are exposed to the virus. Avoid contact with the blisters or the fluid from them. It is good to know that the risk of getting chickenpox from someone with shingles is much lower than the risk of getting chickenpox from someone with chickenpox. This is because a person who has chickenpox mainly spreads the virus through the air. A person who has shingles can only spread the virus through the fluid from the blisters.

Is there any treatment for shingles? 

Shingles usually goes away on its own. There are medicines that can make it hurt less. An ointment or cream may help reduce itching. Discuss the options with your GP.

Is it dangerous to have shingles during pregnancy?

Anyone who has ever had chickenpox is protected against the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles. If you have ever had chickenpox, you are not at risk if you have shingles during pregnancy. The unborn or newborn child is also protected. However, if a pregnant person gets chickenpox for the first time during pregnancy, it can be dangerous. You can find more information on the page about the chickenpox.

A GP or company doctor can check if you have ever had chickenpox and are therefore protected. Have you never had chickenpox, and do you have a higher risk of getting the virus because of your work? If so, you can get vaccinated before pregnancy.

If you are pregnant and have never had chickenpox or been vaccinated, try to avoid contact with children or adults who may have chickenpox or shingles. If you do have contact with someone who has chickenpox or shingles, call your midwife, GP or gynaecologist.

How common is shingles in the Netherlands? 

Shingles is usually seen in older people and people who have lower immunity. In 2021, about 94,000 people went to the GP for shingles. About 375 patients with shingles are admitted to hospital every year in the Netherlands. These patients are usually 50 years or older.

Can someone with shingles go to work?

If you have shingles but feel fine, you can go to work as usual. However, if you work in healthcare, especially with people who are seriously ill or have impaired immunity, then check with your employer before going to work.

Be careful around people who have never had chickenpox before – especially if they have impaired immunity or are pregnant.