What is Shingles?
Shingles is a painful viral infection caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox – the varicella zoster virus (VZV). Once you've had chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in your nervous system and can reactivate later in life as shingles.

Who is at Risk?
Adults aged 50 and above are at higher risk due to the natural weakening of the immune system with age. In fact, over 90% of adults in this age group already carry the virus.

Common Symptoms & Complications

• Painful rash or blisters, usually on one side of the body

• Burning, stabbing, or shock-like pain

• Possible long-term nerve pain (post-herpetic neuralgia or PHN) that can last for months or even years

• Other complications include scarring, vision loss, or muscle weakness

Prevent Shingles with Vaccination
You don’t have to live with the risk. The Shingrix vaccine is available to help protect against shingles and its complications.

✅ Recommended for adults aged 50 and above
✅ Also recommended for adults 18+ with chronic medical conditions
✅ Two doses required (1st dose at month 0, 2nd dose 2–6 months later)

什么是带状疱疹（生蛇）？
带状疱疹（俗称“生蛇”）是由水痘-带状疱疹病毒引起的一种疼痛性皮肤病。患过水痘的人，病毒会潜伏在神经内，并在年长时可能再度活跃，引发带状疱疹。

哪些人属于高风险群体？
50岁及以上的成年人因免疫力随年龄下降，更容易患上带状疱疹。事实上，超过90%的该年龄段成人已携带该病毒。

常见症状与并发症

• 单侧身体出现疼痛性皮疹或水疱

• 灼痛、刺痛或电击般疼痛

• 可能引发带状疱疹后神经痛，疼痛可持续数月甚至数年

• 其他并发症包括疤痕、视力受损或肌肉无力

接种疫苗，预防带状疱疹
您不必默默承受风险。现已有Shingrix 带状疱疹疫苗，可帮助预防带状疱疹及其并发症。

✅ 适合50岁及以上成年人接种
✅ 也推荐18岁以上患有慢性疾病者接种
✅ 共需接种两剂（第一剂在第0个月，第二剂在2至6个月后）