Shingles

Shingles (also known as Shingles Herpes Zoster) is caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV) -the same virus which causes chickenpox.

Symptoms

The first signs of shingles can be an itching, tingling or painful feeling in an area of skin and a headache/generally feeling unwell. The rash (fluid-filled blisters) forms a few days later on one side of the body, commonly on the chest or stomach, and can be intensely painful.

How do you catch Shingles?
After having chickenpox, the VZV remains dormant in the nervous system. Most cases occur at a later stage in life or when the immune system is lowered.

Incubation period
Shingles can occur at any time; initial symptoms can appear 1-5 days before the rash develops.

Diagnosis
Based on symptoms and the appearance of the rash.

Prevention
Vaccination is the only preventative measure in place against shingles. It can significantly reduce the risk of Post Herpetic Neuralgia.

Treatment
At MASTA we offer 2 types of shingles vaccine; Zostavax and Shingrix, our clinicians will be happy to help you decide which vaccine may be best for you.

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Vaccination options

Two Shingles vaccines are available from MASTA, Zostavax and Shingrix. Shingrix can be offered to adults aged 18yrs* and over. *18-49yrs subject to certain conditions.

Level of protection: bvaries: approx. 71% aged 50yrs, decreasing with age thereafter

Protection duration: uncertain, studies are ongoing; thought to be at least 5-10 years

How is it given: Usually given as a course of one or two injections depending on the type of vaccination chosen.

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Did you know?

  • You cannot catch shingles from anyone else, but you can catch chickenpox from someone who currently has shingles (while the rash is still oozing fluid) if you haven’t had chickenpox before.
  • Post Herpetic Neuralgia is pain at the site which lasts for more than 90 days after the rash first appears. It is more common in older people.
  • Shingles in pregnancy is not a danger to the mother or unborn baby, but antiviral treatment may be needed.

Clinical Oversight By:

Professor David Ross

Professor David Ross OStJ

Medical Director, MASTA

PhD MSc MBBS MRCGP FRCPCH FFPH FFTM RCPS(Glasg.) FRCP(Glasg.)

GMC No. 3115417

Professor David Ross OStJ is the Medical Director of MASTA and has been associated with MASTA since 2005. He served 41 years in the Army, including over 10 years as senior advisor on public health to the UK Surgeon General. In 2012 he was appointed the Parkes Professor of Preventive Medicine, in 2014 an Honorary Queen’s Physician and in 2023 an Officer in the Order of St John.

Professor David Ross

Professor David Ross OStJ

Medical Director, MASTA

PhD MSc MBBS MRCGP FRCPCH FFPH FFTM RCPS(Glasg.) FRCP(Glasg.)

GMC No. 3115417

Professor David Ross is the Medical Director at MASTA and has been associated with the company since 2005. He was commissioned into the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1983 and graduated in medicine from St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London in 1986. In 2012 he was appointed the Parkes Professor of Preventive Medicine, in 2014 an Honorary Queen’s Physician and in 2023 an Officer in the Order of St John. He was the senior advisor on public health from 2012–2023 to the UK Surgeon General. He retired from the Army in October 2024, after 41 years active service.

Professor David Ross was Director of Education, Honorary Secretary, and Vice Dean before becoming Dean of the Faculty of Travel Medicine, Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons (Glasgow) in October 2024. Recent travel medicine research interests have included malaria prevention and tuberculosis screening. He was Chief Examiner of the Diploma of Medicine in Conflict & Catastrophes at the Society of Apothecaries until 2024, is Chair of the Final UK MFPH and an Examiner at the UK Faculty of Public Health.

The last few years of his military working life were dominated by supporting the international and national public health response to COVID-19, where he managed many large COVID outbreaks both overseas and in the UK. David also led research into risk factors for mental ill health in the UK Army and for this was awarded a PhD by the University of Glasgow in 2024.