Can a 34 year old have shingles?

Although it’s more common in older adults, young adults can also develop shingles. In fact, the incidence of shingles has been gradually increasing in adults of all ages over the past few decades.

What triggers you to get shingles?

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. Anyone who’s had chickenpox may develop shingles. After you recover from chickenpox, the virus enters your nervous system and lies dormant for years.

Does getting shingles mean you have a weak immune system?

The primary risk factor associated with getting shingles is a weakened immune system. When your immune system isn’t functioning properly, VZV can reactivate. As you age, your immune system doesn’t fight off invaders as well.

What causes shingles in 30s?

The reason shingles occur is not entirely clear, but in the majority of cases it’s the result of a weakened immune system from conditions such as chronic disease, cancer, HIV or overwhelming stress. Some medications can suppress the immune system and thus be a contributing factor to contracting shingles.

Do shingles go away?

The rash usually clears up in 2 to 4 weeks. You may see changes in the color of your skin when the scabs fall off. In more severe cases of shingles, these color changes could be permanent. Even though the rash from shingles gets better or goes away in a few weeks, the pain may last longer.

How is shingles spread from person to person?

A person with shingles can spread the virus when the rash is in the blister-phase. The blister fluid is filled with virus particles. The virus is spread through direct contact with the rash or through breathing in virus particles that get mixed in the air.

Why do I get shingles every month?

Stress, some medications, and certain health conditions can reactivate the virus and trigger the symptoms of shingles. When shingles occurs more than once, doctors refer to it as recurrent shingles. Recurrent shingles is more common among people with a compromised immune system.

Why do we get shingles as we age?

“As we get older, the immune system is less able to control that virus in the nerve roots around the spine and it can reactivate and cause this linear rash that many people are familiar with as shingles.” Vaccination can help prevent shingles, which is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention)

Do you have shingles and are you under 50?

Think again While shingles typically affects people ages 50 and older, it can happen in younger adults — but because those numbers aren’t tracked in Nova Scotia, it’s hard to know exactly how many under 50 are affected. Symptoms of shingles include a blistering, painful rash, fever and headaches.

How can you prevent shingles at a young age?

Vaccination can help prevent shingles, which is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention) McNeil said only about 10 per cent of shingles cases occur in people ages 15-30. She hasn’t heard of an increase in Nova Scotia, but said she does hear of the odd case of a younger person having shingles.

What increases my risk of developing shingles?

But in younger adults, the immune system can be compromised by acute or chronic illness or extreme stress. People who are immunocompromised have a higher risk of developing shingles regardless of age. What if I’ve had the vaccine for chickenpox?