Shingles Increasingly Affects Younger Adults: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention Explained

Shingles, medically known as Herpes Zoster, is commonly perceived as a disease affecting mainly older adults, but it can also occur in younger, seemingly healthy individuals. Dr. Osnat Raziel, director of the multidisciplinary center at Assuta Ramat Hahayal, explains that shingles is caused by the Varicella Zoster Virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. After recovery from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in nerve ganglia and can reactivate years or even decades later when immune control weakens, causing pain and a characteristic rash along a nerve distribution on one side of the body.

Early symptoms of shingles may include pain, burning, tingling, itching, or unusual skin sensitivity before the rash appears. The rash typically develops as red patches and small blisters confined to a specific nerve area, often on the chest, back, abdomen, or face. Prompt medical evaluation is advised when these symptoms occur, especially since antiviral treatments like acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir are most effective if started within 72 hours of rash onset.

While age is the primary risk factor due to declining cellular immunity, shingles can also affect younger people, particularly those with weakened immune systems, chronic illnesses, family history, or physical trauma. Psychological stress has been linked to increased risk but is not the sole cause. A single episode in a young person does not necessarily indicate a serious immune problem, but recurrent or severe cases warrant further medical investigation.

Complications include post-herpetic neuralgia, a persistent nerve pain that can last weeks or months after the rash heals, more common in older adults. Shingles near the eye requires urgent care to prevent vision damage. Prevention is now possible with the Shingrix vaccine, a recombinant vaccine recommended in Israel for people aged 50 and above, with coverage in the national health basket for those 65 and older and immunocompromised individuals from age 18.

Despite recent reports of young people sharing their shingles experiences on social media, there is no confirmed epidemiological evidence of a true increase in cases among younger populations. Awareness, early diagnosis, treatment, and vaccination remain key to managing and preventing shingles and its complications.