{"id":8204,"date":"2025-07-10T08:55:01","date_gmt":"2025-07-10T13:55:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pegasusseniorliving.com\/dunwoody-place\/?p=8204"},"modified":"2026-01-05T02:33:48","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T07:33:48","slug":"shingles-what-is-it-how-to-avoid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pegasusseniorliving.com\/dunwoody-place\/blog\/2025\/07\/10\/shingles-what-is-it-how-to-avoid\/","title":{"rendered":"Shingles: What Is It and How Can Seniors Avoid It?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"8204\" class=\"elementor elementor-8204\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d2ba865 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d2ba865\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad8427f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad8427f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>As we age, it&#8217;s common to face a range of health conditions. Some affect mobility, others involve memory or energy levels. But many of these conditions can be prevented or managed with the right knowledge. One preventable condition that affects older adults in particular is shingles.<\/p><figure id=\"attachment_8209\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8209\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"blog-80 wp-image-8209 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pegasusseniorliving.com\/dunwoody-place\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/07\/dunwoody-place-shingles-what-is-it-how-to-avoid-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"Dunwoody Place | What Is Shingles &amp; How Seniors Can Avoid It\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pegasusseniorliving.com\/dunwoody-place\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/07\/dunwoody-place-shingles-what-is-it-how-to-avoid-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.pegasusseniorliving.com\/dunwoody-place\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/07\/dunwoody-place-shingles-what-is-it-how-to-avoid-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.pegasusseniorliving.com\/dunwoody-place\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/07\/dunwoody-place-shingles-what-is-it-how-to-avoid-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.pegasusseniorliving.com\/dunwoody-place\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/07\/dunwoody-place-shingles-what-is-it-how-to-avoid.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8209\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dunwoody Place in Atlanta helps older adults understand and prevent shingles with supportive personal care services.<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>At Dunwoody Place in Atlanta, GA, we support older adults by helping them stay informed about health risks that can potentially be avoided. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pegasusseniorliving.com\/dunwoody-place\/blog\/2023\/10\/09\/the-difference-between-personal-care-and-assisted-living-in-atlanta-ga\/\">personal care community<\/a> promotes wellness by encouraging seniors to take preventive steps through good health habits and conversations with medical professionals.<\/p><h2>What Is Shingles?<\/h2><p>Shingles is a painful skin condition caused by the varicella-zoster virus. This is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays in the body in an inactive state.<\/p><p>Years later, it can reactivate as shingles.<\/p><p>Its effects typically appear as a rash on one side of the body. The rash can cause burning, tingling, or sharp pain. It often develops into fluid-filled blisters that scab over in about seven to ten days.<\/p><h2>Why Is It Called Shingles?<\/h2><p>The word \u201cshingles\u201d comes from the Latin word \u201ccingulum,\u201d which means \u201cbelt\u201d or \u201cgirdle.\u201d The name refers to the pattern of the rash, which often wraps around one side of the body like a belt.<\/p><p>A common symptom of shingles is pain before the rash appears. Some people may also experience:<\/p><ul><li>Fever<\/li><li>Fatigue<\/li><li>Upset stomach<\/li><\/ul><p>The condition typically affects the torso, but it can also appear on the face or near the eyes, potentially leading to vision loss if left untreated.<\/p><h2>What Is Shingles From?<\/h2><p>Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. If you had chickenpox earlier in life, you already carry the virus. You cannot catch a shingles rash from someone else, but a person with shingles can spread the virus to someone who has never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine.<\/p><p>This means shingles is not passed person-to-person like a cold. However, it is important to keep the rash covered and avoid contact with individuals at higher risk, such as those with weakened immune systems or pregnant women who have never had chickenpox.<\/p><h2>Who Is Most at Risk?<\/h2><p>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that approximately one in three people in the United States will develop shingles in their lifetime. The risk of developing it increases with age. Adults age 50 and older are most likely to experience it.<\/p><p>You may also be at increased risk if you:<\/p><ul><li>Have had chickenpox<\/li><li>Have a chronic illness<\/li><li>Are under emotional stress<\/li><li>Take medications that affect the immune system<\/li><li>Have had an organ transplant<\/li><\/ul><h2>What Are the Risks of Shingles?<\/h2><p>For some, shingles is a short-term issue. For others, it leads to serious long-term complications.<\/p><p>These can include:<\/p><ul><li>Long-term nerve pain (postherpetic neuralgia), which can last for months or even years<\/li><li>Vision loss if the rash is near the eyes<\/li><li>Hearing problems<\/li><li>Neurological issues if the virus spreads in the nervous system<\/li><li>Upset stomach and other physical discomforts during an outbreak<\/li><\/ul><p>Shingles can also lead to hospitalization, especially among older adults or those with compromised health.<\/p><h2>Shingles Vaccine for Seniors<\/h2><p>The good news is that there is an effective vaccination for shingles. The dose of Shingrix is given in two parts, two to six months apart.<\/p><p>According to the Centers for Disease Control, Shingrix is over 90 percent effective at preventing shingles and its complications. It is recommended for adults 50 years and older, regardless of whether they remember having chickenpox.<\/p><p>Ask your health care provider about the senior shingles vaccine. Many insurance plans will cover the doses, including people with a weakened immune system.<\/p><h2>When to Consider Getting the Vaccine<\/h2><p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/shingles\/vaccines\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CDC recommends<\/a> that older adults discuss vaccination at their annual wellness visit. Even if you are healthy now, the vaccine helps prevent shingles from developing as you age.<\/p><p>Vaccination is especially important if:<\/p><ul><li>You live in a senior living community<\/li><li>You have a chronic medical condition<\/li><li>You are planning to travel<\/li><li>You are caring for someone with a weak immune system<\/li><\/ul><h2>Support for Healthy Aging<\/h2><p>Living with the effects of shingles can disrupt your quality of life. Prevention through vaccination is a simple and effective way to stay protected.<\/p><p>At Dunwoody Place, we help residents focus on wellness and make <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pegasusseniorliving.com\/dunwoody-place\/resources\/\">informed decisions<\/a> about their health. Our personal care home community in Atlanta, GA is designed for comfort, independence, and support. Whether you&#8217;re managing health concerns or taking steps to stay well, we&#8217;re here to help.<\/p><p>Talk to your doctor about the shingles vaccine today. It\u2019s one of the best ways to stay protected and continue enjoying daily life without disruption.<\/p><h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Take Charge of Your Health in Atlanta, GA<\/h2><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>To learn more about living well in a supportive setting, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pegasusseniorliving.com\/dunwoody-place\/contact\/\">schedule a tour<\/a> of Dunwoody Place. We\u2019re happy to answer your questions about shingles vaccines, personal care, and daily health.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As we age, it&#8217;s common to face a range of health conditions. Some affect mobility, others involve memory or energy levels. But many of these conditions can be prevented or managed with the right knowledge. One preventable condition that affects older adults in particular is shingles. At Dunwoody Place in Atlanta, GA, we support older [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":50,"featured_media":8216,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[10,153,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8204","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","category-retirement","category-senior-living"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.7 (Yoast SEO v27.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What Is Shingles &amp; How Seniors Can Avoid It | Dunwoody Place<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Shingles is a painful rash caused by the chickenpox virus. 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