Lack of shingles awareness among those at risk: study

With around one in three Australians expected to develop shingles in their lifetime, a new survey reveals a worrying lack of knowledge about the virus.

Australians aged 50+ years are urged to consider their risk of shingles this Shingles Awareness Week (24 February to 2 March 2025).

The call comes as new research commissioned by GSK Australia, which surveyed 600 Australians, revealed that Australians aged 50–79 have limited understanding of their risk of shingles. Over a third (36%) of respondents don’t know that one in three people will develop shingles in their lifetime, and over a quarter (26%) don’t believe that adults over 50 are likely to develop shingles.

Shingles can present in a number of ways — however, it can be a painful and potentially debilitating condition. It is a viral infection that is caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox earlier in life.

The risk of developing shingles increases with age as the immune system naturally weakens, and this can allow the usually inactive virus that causes shingles to reactivate. If Australians have a weakened immune system due to illness, treatments or medications, they may also be at increased risk.

Professor Tony Cunningham, Director of the Centre for Virus Research (WIMR) and Vaccine Theme Leader at Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute (SydneyID), The University of Sydney, suggests that Australians aged 50 and over should not underestimate their shingles risk even if they don’t recall having had chickenpox.

“If you’ve had chickenpox, the virus can remain dormant in your body. Almost all Australians have had chickenpox, even if they don’t remember having it or were asymptomatic, and so are at risk of shingles as they carry the inactive virus. As you get older, there is a decline in your immune system that can leave you susceptible to the reactivation of this virus, which causes shingles,” Cunningham said.

“Shingles Awareness Week is an important reminder to understand the symptoms and your risk, especially if you are aged 50 and over. Speak to your doctor to understand your risk of shingles and encourage loved ones who are older to do the same.”

Shingles Awareness Week aims to increase understanding of the impact of shingles and address common misconceptions surrounding shingles. Journalist Shelly Horton and AFL player Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico join news presenter Deborah Knight as Shingles Awareness Week ambassadors, having experienced first-hand the pain and impact of shingles.

“I experienced shingles during a very stressful time of my life. A huge spread of tiny blisters appeared on my right inner thigh, which left me in excruciating pain, and I felt completely debilitated,” Horton said.

“Since my experience, many people close to me have been affected by this condition. My mum had shingles, which caused a rash across her torso. It was so painful she couldn’t even drive or sit on the couch to watch TV. She almost went to hospital because she thought it was kidney stones. I now know that shingles is common in people 50 and over.”

One of Hawthorn Football Club’s players, Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico, has also experienced the painful and debilitating impact of shingles, and has cared for his partner during her shingles diagnosis.

“Compared to the pain of many of my sporting injuries, shingles was relentless. It put me out of action for nine days,” DiPierdomenico said. “I had a large, itchy, red rash suddenly appear on the left side of my body. It was so uncomfortable, I slept on a mattress in the lounge room with the air conditioning running to try and find some relief. It was horrible to experience personally, and I know some of my loved ones, like my partner and my mum, have also experienced the pain and discomfort of shingles.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Zerbor