Although shingles is not known to be fatal, adults suffering from it may experience extreme inconvenience due to the fever, chills, body pain, fatigue, and headache it may cause. They are caused by a virus called varicella-zoster – the same virus that causes chickenpox. Studies suggest that people who suffered from chicken pox have a higher risk of development.

Common signs include a single stripe of blisters that may cover either side of a person’s torso. It is also considered contagious, as contact with an open sore on a shingles rash may infect others who are not immune to shingles or chickenpox through direct contact.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believes shingles immunization among adults is crucial as older people tend to have a greater risk of developing shingles due to a weakening immune system.