Singapore’s first shingles awareness movement highlights growing risk for seniors

A recent shingles awareness tracking survey, conducted by market research firm Ipsos on behalf of biopharmaceutical company GSK, found that two out of three older adults underestimate their personal risk of contracting the disease.

Only one in four respondents intended to discuss shingles prevention with their doctor within the next three months, according to the survey of 200 adults aged 50 and above in July.

Doctors warned that shingles is not merely painful – it can also lead to inflammation linked to serious complications such as heart attacks and strokes.

“People think that it’s an inconsequential, mild illness, but shingles does have significant complications,” said family physician Kelvin Goh.

“Patients with chronic pain suffer for months and even years of persistent hyperesthesia, tingling sensation, burning or even stabbing pain in the area of the shingles virus.”