Can Shingles Cause Injury and/or Death?

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Yes. The most common condition caused by shingles is post herpetic neuralgia (PHN) that involves a longer period of nerve inflammation. PHN symptoms include severe pain where the shingles rash appeared after the rash clears up. PHN can be debilitating and usually lasts only a few weeks. However, in rare cases, the chronic nerve inflammation and pain has persisted for years. The elderly are at a higher risk for PHN, with the pain being more severe.¹

Shingles can also affect the eye and cause loss of vision or blindness and can lead to hearing and balance problems, facial paralysis, pneumonia, brain inflammation (encephalitis) and death.²

IMPORTANT NOTE: NVIC encourages you to become fully informed about Shingles and the Shingles vaccine by reading all sections in the Table of Contents , which contain many links and resources such as the manufacturer product information inserts, and to speak with one or more trusted health care professionals before making a vaccination decision for yourself or your child. This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.