Shingles: Symptoms, Contagion and How Long It Lasts
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, MD
Licensed Physician No. 484814280 · Official Medical College of Bizkaia (Spain)Last reviewed: 5 November 2026
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Shingles symptoms start with pain, burning or tingling in a strip on one side of the body. A few days later blisters appear, and they crust over in about 7 to 10 days. You cannot catch shingles, but the blister fluid can give chickenpox to someone who has never had it. The skin usually heals in 2 to 4 weeks. This guide is by Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, a GP licensed in Spain (Colegiado No. 484814280).
- Shingles is the chickenpox virus waking up in a nerve.
- The first sign is often pain or burning in a strip on one side, days before any rash.
- Blisters crust over in 7 to 10 days and the skin heals in 2 to 4 weeks.
- It can give chickenpox to people who have not had it or the vaccine, until every blister has crusted.
- Treatment works best within 72 hours of the rash, so see a doctor early.
- A rash on the eye, forehead or tip of the nose needs in-person care the same day.
What is shingles?
Shingles is an infection with the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After chickenpox, the virus sleeps in a nerve. Years later it can wake up and travel down that nerve to the skin. That is why it only affects a strip on one side. The risk goes up with age, mostly after 50, and with a weak immune system. In Spain it is called herpes zóster or culebrilla.
What are the first symptoms of shingles?
- Pain, burning, stabbing, tingling or itching in one area on one side, often 1 to 5 days before you see anything.
- Skin that hurts when clothes touch it.
- Sometimes tiredness, a headache or a mild fever.
This early pain can be mistaken for a heart, lung, kidney or back problem, depending on where it is. If it is in your chest and you are not sure, get it checked.
What are the stages of the shingles rash?
- Red patches: in a band on the chest, waist or one side of the face.
- Blisters: clusters of small blisters filled with clear fluid.
- Crusts: the blisters dry and scab over in about 7 to 10 days.
- Healing: the skin heals in 2 to 4 weeks. A mark or a small scar may stay.
Is shingles contagious?
You cannot give someone shingles. But the fluid in the blisters can give chickenpox to a person who has never had it or the vaccine. It spreads by touching the blisters. It stops being contagious once every blister has crusted. It is not contagious before the blisters appear.
- Keep the rash covered and do not scratch it.
- Wash your hands often.
- Until it has crusted, avoid pregnant women who have not had chickenpox, newborn or premature babies, and people with a weak immune system.
How long does shingles last?
An episode usually lasts 2 to 4 weeks. In some people, more often over 50, the pain goes on for weeks or months after the skin heals. This is called post-herpetic neuralgia. Starting treatment early, when it is needed, lowers that risk.
Is shingles the same as a cold sore?
No. Cold sores and genital herpes are caused by a different virus, herpes simplex. They tend to come back in the same spot and do not follow a strip. Shingles usually happens once, though it can come back. Read more about cold sores.
How is shingles treated, and is there a vaccine?
A doctor confirms shingles by looking at the rash. They may suggest antiviral tablets, which work best within 72 hours, and a plan for the pain. We explain this on our shingles treatment page. At home, cool compresses and loose clothes ease the rash.
There is a shingles vaccine. The Spanish public programme offers it to adults from a set age, by year of birth, and to people with some health conditions. Ask your centro de salud (local health centre) if you qualify. The UK and the US also offer it to older adults and people at higher risk, with their own age rules.
If you are wondering whether to see someone by video or in person, read shingles in Spain: video or local care.
When should I go to A&E or call 112?
- A rash on the forehead, around the eye or on the tip of the nose, a red eye or any change in vision: get in-person care the same day.
- A rash in or around the ear with a drooping face, dizziness or hearing loss.
- A weak immune system from chemotherapy or other medicines, or pregnancy.
- A rash that spreads all over the body.
- A severe headache, stiff neck, confusion or high fever: call 112.
Frequently asked questions about shingles
Can I go to work with shingles?
Often yes, if the rash is covered and you do not work with pregnant women, babies or people with a weak immune system. If the pain stops you, talk to your doctor.
Can you have shingles without a rash?
It is rare, but you can have pain in a strip without a rash. It is harder to diagnose, and a doctor needs to assess it.
Can shingles come back?
Yes, though it is not common. The vaccine lowers the chance of it coming back.
What is shingles called in Spanish?
It is herpes zóster, or culebrilla in everyday speech. The vaccine is the vacuna del herpes zóster.
Can shingles be diagnosed by video?
In most cases, yes. The one-sided strip is easy to recognise on video or in clear photos. If the eye or ear is involved, the doctor will send you for in-person care.
Getting a medical assessment
If you are in Spain and you think you have shingles, you can book a video consultation with Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, a physician registered in Spain. See a doctor early: timing matters. You can also read about skin rashes. A prescription is never guaranteed: it is issued only where clinically appropriate after a genuine evaluation, as a private electronic prescription under Spanish law. This service is for urgent, non-emergency care. In an emergency, call 112.
This guide is general information. It does not replace the package leaflet or the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
Sources
This content is written and reviewed by a licensed physician with reference to the following sources.
