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“I just started getting blisters on my arm and the back of my neck. Started just itching - very itchy... A couple of days after the blisters, I went to the doctor and yeah, they diagnosed shingles.”
That is Pamela, a woman who developed shingles in her late 50s.
She's shared her story with GlaxoSmithKline, who have launched a website called knowshingles.com.au for Shingles Awareness Week.
G-S-K says not enough people realise how vulnerable they are to the condition.
Maxine was among them.
“I knew nothing whatsoever about shingles than truly it was for old people. I just didn't understand how damaging it is. And I thought, I'll make an appointment, they'll give me this miracle drug and I'll be fixed. That wasn't the case.”
Misconceptions about shingles appear to be widespread.
A new study from Glaxo Smith Kline has found the majority of people they surveyed don't know their risk of developing the condition, or know how serious it can be.
Professor Tony Cunningham is the Director of the Centre for Virus Research at the University of Sydney.
He says shingles is actually fairly common, because so many of us have had chicken pox as children or young adults.
“It's caused by the chickenpox virus and then, as people age, the virus re-emerges and causes an infection of the skin. The people who are at risk are those who are ageing, particularly those are over the age of 50. About one in three people in their lifetime will develop shingles at some stage.”
There's a vaccine for shingles called Shingrix - which normally costs $560 per immunisation.
In 2023, Health Minister Mark Butler announced the vaccine would become free for certain groups, like those aged over 65 or people who are immunocompromised.
“We see the beginning of the most comprehensive shingles vaccine programme for over 65 year olds on the planet. $800 million of investment there.”
The Minister says the rollout of vaccines is continuing this month, with hundreds of thousands of additional doses to be delivered between January and the end of June.
Dr Megan Campbell from the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation has told SBS News First Nations people have also been included in the vaccination program.
“We know that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults are more likely to get shingles and more likely to get it at a younger age. The new vaccine is safer and more effective than the last one that we had. And importantly, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can get a free two-dose course from the age of 50.”
Professor Cunningham says talking to your GP about shingles is highly recommended.
“It's really important to be aware of the risk of shingles and discuss it with your local doctor and discuss it in your family, particularly with the ageing members of the family who may not be aware of the risk of shingles.”
In the meantime, Pamela says her plans are on hold while she recovers from the condition.
“I work three days a week for three hours. It's like I have to come home and sleep. And there's not much - especially with the paralysis of this arm - there's not much I can do. It's devastating and it's frustrating. I was going to retire and start travelling, but unfortunately I am sort of stuck here now because of shingles. Because of this pain I am sort of stuck here at the moment.”
Maxine is hopeful that by speaking out, awareness can be raised.
“I wish I could tell everyone. I just want them to know how bad it is. I am so looking forward to getting back into my kitchen and creating masterpieces. Getting back into the garden, just enjoying going for a walk... Going for a walk in the sunshine would be amazing.”
