New research commissioned by GSK Australia reveals that 92% of people aged 50–69 don’t think that talking about shingles with their healthcare provider is a priority despite the fact that 1 in 3 Australians will “develop shingles in their lifetime with the risk increasing from 50 years of age”.
This comes as Australian TV personality Nicky Buckley speaks publicly about her experience with the condition.
‘I still have the scars’
Having experienced shingles multiple times, Ms Buckley says one of her worst episodes was on her face.
“I’ve had shingles more than once, and I still have the scars to show for it,” she says.
“One of the worst episodes was on my face, and I needed nurses coming in twice a day to care for me.
“It left me exhausted, in pain and unable to work.”
Ms Buckley also watched her father go through it one Christmas.
“Dad has always wanted to stay active. He loved getting out in the community and playing Father Christmas every year, but when shingles affected his vision, he had to cut that short,” she says.
“And more recently, as he has aged, it has also affected his ability to do simple things like read a book or the newspaper.
“It isn’t only about the pain or the rash. Shingles can claim parts of everyday life that matter enormously to someone.”
The latest research
Despite most Australians recognising the impact the condition can have, the latest research commissioned by GSK Australia shows that “only 8% of Australians aged 50–69 consider it a priority to discuss shingles or their individual risk with a healthcare professional”.
Yet this age group, according to the research, is “more likely to prioritise the very health and lifestyle choices that shingles has the potential to disrupt”, including the ability to exercise.
According to a statement released by GSK today, “among the 65% of respondents who have experienced shingles or know someone who has, 79% say one or more areas of life were impacted”.
“This includes usual day-to-day activities (53%), ability to work or earn an income (46%), exercising or staying active (44%), socialising with friends (42%), participating in hobbies or leisure activities (32%) and family celebrations such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries or graduations (20%).”
What to know about shingles
Shingles is a potentially debilitating condition that typically develops as a painful, blistering rash.
Experts say that about 1 in 3 Australians develop shingles in their lifetime, with risk increasing with age, especially from 50.
Certain underlying health conditions, including asthma, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, renal disease and immune conditions, can be associated with an increased risk of shingles compared to people without these conditions.
The most common complication of shingles, according to health experts, is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), “which can cause persistent, often debilitating pain for at least 3 months after the rash has healed”.
“Shingles can also affect the eyes and vision, in some cases leading to impaired vision and, rarely, permanent vision loss.”
The risk of shingles increases with age.
Professor Robert Booy, infectious diseases specialist, says misconceptions about who is at risk can make shingles easy to overlook.
“People can feel fit and healthy in their 50s and 60s and may not think shingles is something they need to consider. But the risk of shingles increases with age, and may be higher for people living with certain chronic health conditions,” says Professor Booy.
“For people already managing an ongoing health condition, shingles has the potential to add another layer of pain and disruption to everyday life, including sleep, daily activities and important responsibilities.”
For more information, visit: knowshingles.com.au/test-your-shingles-knowledge.
