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Shingles
Who has it?
Each year, one million Americans develop shingles. Approximately 10% of adults will get shingles at some point during their lifetime, usually after the age of 50.
The good news is that most people do not get shingles more than once because they develop immunity to the virus. However, about 1% to 5% of individuals will suffer a recurrence of shingles either in the original area on the body or a different area. Individuals may be most susceptible to recurrent attacks when they are run down or have a weakened immune system.
Shingles affects men and women and people of all races equally. Although shingles can affect adults at any age, the elderly and individuals with weakened immune systems are most susceptible to developing the condition.
A woman who has active chickenpox or shingles within a few weeks of giving birth can pass the varicella zoster virus to her unborn infant. About one-third of babies who are exposed to the virus in this way go on to develop shingles before their 5th birthdays.
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Who has it?
