Don't ignore the burning rash: Shingles risk for adults over 50

KUALA LUMPUR - Shingles, a viral disease caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), the same virus responsible for chickenpox, poses a significant risk to older adults due to the natural decline in the immune system with age.

In a statement, GSK Malaysia (GSK) said the disease arises from dormant VZV in the nervous system of adults aged 50 and above, which may reactivate with advancing age.

Over 90 per cent of adults in this age group are already carriers of the virus, it added.

"As people age, the cells in their immune system lose the ability to mount a strong and effective response to infection, increasing the risk of developing shingles,” GSK said.

Shingles typically presents as a painful rash with blisters, often forming a stripe along a nerve path on one side of the torso. It may also develop on the neck, face, or around one eye. The pain is often described as aching, burning, stabbing, or shock-like.

The condition can disrupt daily activities such as dressing, walking, and sleeping, and may lead to post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a persistent nerve pain that can last from three months to several years after the rash heals.

PHN is the most common complication of shingles, affecting up to 30 per cent of cases depending on age. Other complications include scarring, vision issues (if the rash appears near the eye), and partial weakness or paralysis in areas served by the affected nerves.

GSK urged the public to consult healthcare professionals to explore preventive measures and reduce the risk of shingles and its complications. For more information, visit

https://gsk.me/stopshingles_my - BERNAMA