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Shingles

Shingles is a painful rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. The virus can reactivate years later, leading to a band of blisters on one side of the body. Treatment with antiviral medications can help reduce the severity and duration of the symptoms. 

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Looking for information about treating shingles? We have you covered.

What is shingles?

Shingles is a painful rash caused by the virus herpes zoster, the same virus that causes chickenpox.* Anyone who’s had chickenpox is at risk of getting shingles.

There’s no cure for shingles, but there are medicines that can help the body fight the virus and make shingles less severe. These medicines can also prevent shingles from causing nerve pain that lasts months or even years after shingles goes away.*

What symptoms can occur with shingles?

The earliest sign of shingles is mild to severe pain that is often described as burning, itching, shooting or tingling. A rash and blisters follow one to five days later. The rash is a single line or a cluster of blisters usually on one side of the body. Other symptoms of shingles can include the following:*

  • Chills
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Upset stomach

Shingles that occurs on your face can affect your eyes, mouth and nose. These locations may require a higher level of care and further monitoring. If someone suspects they have shingles near their eye, they should seek medical care immediately. Symptoms associated with shingles near your eye include the following:

  • Blurred vision
  • Double vision
  • Dry eye
  • Lesion on the tip of the nose
  • Light sensitivity
  • Painful rash around the eye
  • Redness
  • Swelling

Getting help

A MinuteClinic provider can create a treatment plan to reduce discomfort and minimize any long-term issues, such as pain.

  1. You may have to answer a few questions about symptoms to help us prepare for your visit prior to scheduling your appointment.

  2. Check-in varies depending on how you scheduled your appointment:

    If you made your appointment online:
    Check in using the email or text message we sent to confirm your appointment. If you prefer to check in using the electronic kiosk, make sure you have your confirmation code.

    If you made your appointment in the clinic:
    Sign in at the electronic kiosk.

  3. When it's time for your appointment, a provider will call your name.
  4. Your provider will conduct a thorough examination based on your reason for visit, presenting symptoms and health history. Charges will be based on examination and services provided during the visit.
  5. At the end of your visit, you are provided with a visit summary, receipt and educational material about your diagnosis. At your request, we can send your primary care provider information about your visit.

Frequently asked questions

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chicken pox. The virus stays in the body after chickenpox has healed. Sometimes, the virus will become active again. When this happens, you get shingles.

Even though shingles is less contagious than chickenpox, people who have blisters are still able to spread the virus. People with shingles should:

  • Avoid contact with young children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems
  • Avoid touching the rash
  • Keep the rash covered
  • Wash their hands often

Before the rash appears and after it scabs over, shingles can’t spread. When the rash is present, shingles can spread to others.*

There isn’t a cure for shingles, but there are ways to reduce chances of getting it.*  There are also medications that can reduce the severity of symptoms if someone does get sick.

The vaccine is recommended for people over 50 years old.* Sometimes, the shingles vaccine is given to younger people who are at high risk of getting shingles.

If someone gets shingles, do not delay treatment. The sooner they start on an antiviral medication, the less severe the symptoms will be.*

The shingles rash usually goes away after two to four weeks but can affect some people for longer periods of time. The pain caused by shingles usually goes away, but it can last for months or even years in certain cases. Taking medication may not shorten the amount of time you have shingles, but it may reduce the pain the rash causes and make it less likely that you will have pain that lasts for months or years.

A MinuteClinic provider can create a treatment plan to reduce discomfort and minimize any long-term issues, such as pain.

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IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ: This material is for reference only and should not be used to determine treatment for specific medical conditions. Please visit a health care provider for evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of any symptoms you may be experiencing. If you're experiencing a medical emergency, please dial 911 or visit your local emergency department.

 

REFERENCES USED AS SOURCES FOR THIS PAGE:

  • *FOR DEFINITION SOURCE: MedlinePlus. Shingles. Updated April 20, 2024.

  • *FOR AFTER SHINGLES GO AWAY SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Shingles symptoms and complications. Updated April 19, 2024.

  • *FOR OTHER SYMPTOMS SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Shingles symptoms and complications. Updated April 19, 2024.

  • *FOR CAN SPREAD TO OTHERS SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About shingles (Herpes Zoster). Updated January 17, 2025.

  • *FOR THERE ISN’T A CURE FOR SHINGLES SOURCE: Health Direct. Shingles. Updated June 2023.

  • *FOR 50 YEARS OLD SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Shingles vaccination. July 19, 2024.

  • *FOR LESS SEVERE THE SYMPTOMS WILL BE SOURCE: MedlinePlus. Shingles. Updated April 20, 2024.