What is Shingles? Shingles, commonly referred to as "生蛇" (shēng shé), is an infectious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. After recovering from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the nervous system. Anyone who has had chickenpox, even if they are healthy, is at risk of developing shingles. Treatment Options Antiviral medications should be taken within the first 72 hours after the rash appears. However, the initial symptoms of shingles may not be obvious, causing patients to miss the critical treatment window. Symptoms and Affected Areas Almost every adult has the potential to develop shingles. The pain associated with shingles can be severe. Once the disease occurs, the dormant virus travels along nerve pathways to different parts of the skin or body. Different areas can produce various symptoms, and in severe cases, it can lead to facial nerve paralysis, vision impairment, or even blindness or deafness. Up to 30% of patients may experience postherpetic neuralgia, resulting in nerve pain that can last for months or even years. Patients may experience excruciating pain even from light touches, requiring long-term use of pain relief medications, significantly affecting daily life and quality of life. Shingrix Vaccine The shingles vaccine, SHINGRIX (Zoster Vaccine Recombinant, Adjuvanted), is recommended by the CDC as the first choice for shingles vaccination. It has over 90% efficacy in preventing shingles and the associated postherpetic neuralgia, while also reducing the risk of other complications. Who Should Get Vaccinated? SHINGRIX is suitable for individuals aged 18 and older who are at high risk and those aged 50 and older. It is recommended regardless of whether they have previously received the live attenuated shingles vaccine, to ensure stronger protection. Vaccination Schedule in Hong Kong Recommended for high-risk individuals aged 18 and above and those aged 50 and above. No contraindications for immunocompromised individuals. Common side effects include pain at the injection site, muscle pain, fatigue, and headaches, usually lasting 2-3 days. Frequently Asked Questions Q: If I have had shingles before, can I get SHINGRIX again? A: The CDC recommends getting SHINGRIX to prevent the recurrence of the disease. Q: If I have previously received the live attenuated shingles vaccine, do I need to get SHINGRIX? A: The CDC advises re-vaccination with the non-live recombinant shingles vaccine SHINGRIX. Q: If I'm unsure whether I had chickenpox, can I still get SHINGRIX? A: The CDC recommends that high-risk individuals aged 18 and older and those aged 50 and older receive SHINGRIX, even if they are uncertain about their chickenpox history. Q: How many doses of SHINGRIX are needed for shingles prevention? A: The CDC recommends that individuals aged 18 and older who are at high risk and have not received any shingles vaccine or have not previously received the recombinant shingles vaccine should receive two doses of SHINGRIX.