For ageing adults, living with chronic conditions mostly brings a lot of discomfort. A little back pain, tingling in the skin, or unexplained sensitivity may be brushed off as “just another symptom.” But when it comes to shingles – also known as herpes zoster, these early warning signs should never be ignored. According to the India Shingles Action Survey 2026, one in three adults over the age of 50 years with chronic diseases who suffered from shingles reported pain so severe that it affected their work and daily activities.
Shingles typically begins with localized pain, burning, or tingling on one side of the body. What follows can be a painful rash — and in many cases, severe nerve pain that lasts months or even years. According to the India Shingles Action Survey 2026, one in three ageing adults with chronic diseases who developed shingles reported pain so intense that it disrupted work and daily life.
The good news? Staying ahead of shingles doesn’t require dramatic lifestyle overhauls. It starts with awareness and small, consistent health actions. Here are four important health actions you can take, according to Dr Sanjeev Gulati, Chairman, Nephrology and Kidney Transplant Fortis Group of Hospitals.
Shingles is caused by a virus that stays dormant in the body after chickenpox and can reactivate later in life when immunity weakens. Conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, and chronic lung disease can put ongoing strain on the immune system. “People with diabetes who have had chickenpox face a higher risk of developing shingles and are more likely to experience postherpetic neuralgia, a painful complication that can last for months or even years,” said Dr Gulati.
At the same time, developing shingles can make blood sugar control more difficult in people with diabetes. People with diabetes are not only at higher risk of developing shingles but may also face complications like postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) - persistent nerve pain that can last for months or years. Additionally, shingles itself can make blood sugar control more difficult.
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Shingles usually develops in a small area on one side of the body or face because the virus travels along a specific nerve. Early symptoms often include:
Vaccination significantly reduces the risk of shingles and its most common complication, long-term nerve pain
Medical appointments for chronic conditions often focus on test results and medication adjustments. These visits are also an opportunity to discuss shingles and its preventive measures. For adults over 50 with chronic conditions, vaccination is an important preventive measure. “Vaccination significantly reduces the risk of shingles and its most common complication, long-term nerve pain. Regular health checks provide an opportunity to review infection risks, discuss vaccination, and ensure prevention is addressed before illness occurs,” said Dr Gulati.
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