【Shingles vaccine price comparison】What are the symptoms of shingles, is it contagious, and where does it usually occur?

“Shingles” is formally known as Herpes Zoster and is caused by the chickenpox virus. When the body’s immunity declines or one is under stress, shingles may develop. So, how is shingles treated, and how much does the preventive vaccine cost?

Shingles is very common, especially after the age of 50. Studies have shown that one in five adults aged 50 or above have experienced or are currently suffering from the pain caused by shingles, while those who have had chickenpox and have diabetes, cancer, AIDS or other conditions have a higher incidence.

The varicella-zoster virus in the fluid of the blisters is infectious. Patients should cover the affected area and avoid contact with people who have not had chickenpox, particularly vulnerable individuals such as infants and pregnant women, to prevent them from becoming infected.

When the immune system is weakened, dormant viruses may become active again and travel along the nerves, causing nerve pain. In most patients, the condition is usually limited to one side of the body, most commonly the face or torso, and causes a painful, band-like red rash with blisters.

People with severely weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, may experience simultaneous outbreaks along nerves on both sides of the body. There is a saying that “you will die if shingles encircles your body”, which, although not absolutely correct, indicates that shingles affecting multiple nerve regions may reflect a weaker immune system and an increased risk of serious complications or death.

Table 1: Symptoms of shingles at different stages

Between 1999 and 2014, approximately 25% of people with shingles developed complications of varying severity, including postherpetic neuralgia (postherpetic neuralgia), which can last for several months or years. A doctor has pointed out that the older a person is, the more intense the pain tends to be, particularly among patients with chronic conditions who are taking medication, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Other complications include the affected skin becoming bruised and darkened; in severe cases, scarring may occur. In addition, if shingles spreads to the eyes, it may affect vision.

Patients should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Antiviral medication is only effective when used within 72 hours, helping to shorten the recovery time. If necessary, patients may apply soothing cream to the affected area or take painkillers to relieve itching and pain.

Shingles does not necessarily go away permanently, and patients may experience a recurrence, with the likelihood ranging from 1% to 6%.

As shingles usually only requires outpatient treatment, general medical insurance is generally not applicable. If you have outpatient insurance, you can claim the relevant expenses from your insurer. However, outpatient insurance generally only covers general outpatient consultations within the medical network, so you should check the details carefully before seeking medical attention.

People aged 50 or above can receive the vaccine for prevention. Even if they subsequently develop shingles after vaccination, it can reduce the severity of pain and the risk of complications. There are two shingles vaccines available on the market, namely Shingrix and Zostavax (Kangbai vaccine). Shingrix has a prevention rate of over 90%, but the cost of two doses is still at least HK$5,000, while Zostavax requires only one dose, is less expensive and has a prevention rate of approximately 70%.

Table 2: Comparison of shingles vaccines

However, it is important to note that the shingles vaccine is not suitable for everyone. Those for whom it is unsuitable include: pregnant women, people with weakened immunity, tuberculosis patients and people who are allergic to the antibiotic neomycin.

Table 3: Price comparison of shingles vaccines (HK dollars)

Notes:  
1. Sources: Legislative Council, Elderly Health Service Newsletter and doctor interviews  
2. Last updated: 24 August 2023.

This English version of this article has been generated by machine translation powered by AI. It is provided solely for reference purposes. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between this translation and the original Chinese version, the Chinese version shall prevail.