Shingles Health Center

Understanding Shingles -- Symptoms

What Are the Symptoms of Shingles?

The symptoms of shingles include:

• Pain or a bruised feeling -- usually on one side of your face or body -- often along with a fever, chills, headache, or upset stomach
• Tingling, itching, or prickling skin and an inflamed, red skin rash several days later
• A group or long strip of small, fluid-filled blisters
• Deep burning, searing, aching, or stabbing pain, which may occur once in a while or last a long time

Call Your Doctor About Shingles If:

• You suspect an outbreak is beginning; if you take antiviral drugs in the early stages, you may shorten the course of the infection.
• Shingles on your face spreads near your eye; seek treatment from an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) to avoid possible cornea damage.
• The affected area becomes secondarily infected with bacteria (indicated by spreading redness, swelling, a high fever, and pus); antibiotics can help halt the spread of bacterial infection but not the shingles itself.
• Your rash lasts longer than 10 days without improvement; get treatment to avoid potential nerve damage.
• The pain becomes too great to bear; your doctor may prescribe stronger painkillers or a nerve block.