Why adults over 50 need to protect themselves from shingles

For people over 50, staying informed about potential health problems is essential to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. One condition that often goes unnoticed but deserves attention is shingles – a health issue caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus responsible for chickenpox. Most adults carry this virus in their bodies after having chickenpox, and as the immune system naturally weakens with age, it can reactivate later in life as shingles.

To create greater awareness and highlight the importance of understanding shingles, its symptoms, and options for prevention, global biopharma leader GSK recently led the Project 50+ campaign in the UAE. While not widely discussed, shingles is a preventable condition, and this campaign focused on empowering adults to take proactive steps to protect their health.

Who is at risk?

Shingles is also known as herpes zoster, as it is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. For most adults over 50, this virus lies dormant in the nervous system, often reactivating later in life when immune defences naturally weaken. Those who have had chickenpox are at risk of developing shingles, just as those with compromised immune systems are.

Shingles often begins subtly, with symptoms like tingling, a localised pain, headache, or mild fever. Within a few days, a painful, distinctive rash appears, usually on the chest or abdomen but potentially anywhere on the body, including the face. This rash can be incredibly uncomfortable and may sometimes lead to long-term nerve pain called post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), which can persist for months or even years.

Common symptoms and complications

Shingles’ most recognisable symptom is a painful, blistering rash that usually appears on one side of the body and can last between two and four weeks. Often, this rash affects the chest, abdomen or face. Beyond the rash, some people experience post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a persistent nerve pain that can linger for weeks, months or even years after the rash has healed.

Dr Eissan Ragab, a dermatologist at Emirates Hospital, partnered with GSK on the Project 50+ campaign to drive awareness about the disease. She used dynamic animations and targeted messages on Instagram to educate audiences on the symptoms, complications, and preventive options.

“Research shows that over 90 per cent of adults have had chickenpox in their childhood, and around 1 in 3 will develop shingles in their lifetime,” explains Dr Ragab.

Though it primarily affects adults over 50, younger people with weakened immune systems may also develop it.

“Those at greater risk include people with chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, and those undergoing treatments that suppress immunity such as cancer treatments, organ transplants, or certain medications,” she says.

A healthy lifestyle can support immune function, but because the immune system naturally declines with age, older adults are more susceptible to shingles.

Is it contagious?

Shingles itself isn’t contagious. However, someone who hasn’t had chickenpox or hasn’t been exposed to varicella-zoster virus can catch chickenpox – not shingles – through direct contact with the shingles rash. Shingles develops only when the dormant virus reactivates in someone who’s already had chickenpox.

Prevention is better than cure

it’s possible to prevent shingles, especially for those 50 and older or individuals with conditions affecting immunity. Consulting a healthcare professional can help individuals understand their prevention options, which may significantly reduce the risk of shingles and its potential complications.

 –             In association with GSK