Minor Ailments

Shingles

Manage shingles symptoms and reduce complications with early, pharmacist-guided treatment at RxHealthMed.

Understanding and Treating Shingles

Shingles is a viral infection caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. After chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in nerve tissue and can reactivate years later, most often in adults over 50 or people with a weakened immune system. It produces a painful, blistering rash that typically appears on one side of the body. Starting antiviral treatment early can reduce how severe and how long the illness lasts. A shingles vaccine is also available and is strongly worth considering if you are in the recommended age group.

Recognizing Shingles Symptoms

Shingles often begins with pain, burning, or tingling on one side of the body before any rash appears. This is followed by sensitivity to touch, itching, and the development of a red rash with fluid-filled blisters. Some people also experience fever, headache, fatigue, and light sensitivity. The rash typically forms a stripe of blisters along one side of the torso, neck, or face.

How Your RxHealthMed Pharmacist Can Help

Your RxHealthMed pharmacist can assess your symptoms and suggest appropriate pain management options to keep you comfortable. In some provinces, pharmacists can also prescribe antiviral medications for shingles. They can administer the shingles vaccine for prevention and offer guidance on managing longer-term complications like postherpetic neuralgia.

Find Shingles Treatment Near You

Find an RxHealthMed pharmacy near you for quick access to shingles assessment, treatment, and prevention options. Getting care early makes a real difference in how the illness progresses.

Frequently asked questions

Have questions about shingles? Here you will find answers about symptoms, treatment options, how contagious it is, and how vaccination can help protect you.

Is shingles contagious?

Shingles itself does not spread from person to person, but the varicella-zoster virus can pass from an active shingles rash to someone who has never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine, causing them to develop chickenpox. Avoid close contact with pregnant women, newborns, and anyone with a weakened immune system until the rash has fully crusted over.

How is shingles treated?

Antiviral medications such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir are most effective when started within 72 hours of the rash appearing. Pain relief medication, cool compresses, and calamine lotion can all help with discomfort. Your RxHealthMed pharmacist or doctor can help you put together the right treatment plan.

What is postherpetic neuralgia?

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a complication of shingles where nerve pain continues in the area of the original rash for months or even years after it has healed. It is more common in older adults and can be quite debilitating. Getting vaccinated significantly reduces the risk of developing PHN.

Can you get shingles more than once?

It is possible to have shingles more than once, though it is not particularly common. Getting vaccinated following a shingles episode helps lower the chance of it recurring.

How can I prevent shingles?

The Shingrix vaccine is highly effective at preventing shingles and its complications. It is recommended for adults aged 50 and older. Ask your RxHealthMed pharmacist about getting vaccinated and whether it is right for you.

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