do you know your risk of shingles? survey says many canadians don't
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shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful, itchy rash like a strip of blisters on your chest or around one side of your face or body. those age 50 and older make up more than two-thirds of all cases, according to health canada.
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a new national survey of canadian adults reveals significant gaps in understanding the risk of shingles—and a lack of concern among those most at risk of the viral infection. that’s alarming, given how serious the condition can be, and the fact that there’s a safe, highly effective vaccine to prevent the onset. while it’s widely associated with aging, that’s only one of the risk factors.
aging is only one risk factor for painful shingles
shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful, itchy rash like a strip of blisters on your chest or around one side of your face or body. it originates from the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. if you’ve had chickenpox as a child, the virus stays dormant in your body and can resurface many years later as shingles. nearly all, about 99 per cent, of adults carry the virus, and as many as one in three people will develop shingles in their lifetime.
but here’s one of the red flags: along with discomfort from the rash, the condition often causes underlying pain in the nerves, which can interfere with work and everyday activities as basic as getting dressed. post-herpetic neuralgia, a nerve pain that can last weeks or even years long after the blisters have cleared, can also happen. more rarely, shingles can lead to bacterial skin infections, weakness, muscle paralysis, and loss of hearing or vision.
those age 50 and older make up more than two-thirds of all cases, according to health canada. your immune system weakens with age, making you more susceptible to the infection, and other health conditions also impact immunity.
anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk for shingles
in fact, anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk, and adults of any age with a chronic health condition like diabetes, asthma, cancer or heart disease are at increased risk of the virus.
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the national survey, commissioned by gsk canada, was conducted from december 17, 2024 to january 19, 2025, among a nationally representative sample of 2,109 canadians aged 18 and older, revealed the following:
- only one-third of respondents know that a chronic health condition can increase your risk of getting shingles
- among those with a chronic condition, concern of getting shingles is low with only 12 per cent highly concerned and 37 per cent somewhat concerned
- over 80 per cent of those with a chronic condition have not been informed by a healthcare professional about an increased risk for shingles.
talk to a primary care provider about your risk for shingles
“shingles is more than just a rash and its impact can be particularly devastating and prolonged for those who are older or who are living with underlying health conditions,” dr. michelle horn, country medical director at gsk canada, said in the news release.
“while discussion about disease prevention may not be top of mind in the face of more immediate health concerns during healthcare visits, particularly for those suffering from chronic conditions, that doesn’t negate the importance. the findings from this survey underscore the need for a more focused effort to educate canadians and support increased dialogue with healthcare providers about individual risk factors for developing shingles.”
the national institute on ageing points out that more than 90,000 canadians develop shingles every year, but only 39 per cent of eligible canadians have received at least one dose, “leaving thousands unnecessarily vulnerable.” the institute is encouraging people to get vaccinated and calling for policy changes that will make shingles vaccination free and accessible to adults 50 years and older.
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