Talk to your doctor about shingles.

If you've had chickenpox, you're at risk for shingles.

That's because the chickenpox virus is still living in your body. If it becomes active again, usually later in life, it can cause the painful disease known as shingles.

Shingles can affect anyone who's had chickenpox, at anytime, without warning. There's no way to tell if you'll be the one who gets it, or when.

The fact is, nine out of ten American adults have had chickenpox and could get shingles.

The older you get, the more you're at risk for shingles.

This is because your body can't defend itself against the virus that causes shingles as well as it could when you were younger.

About half of the nearly 1 million shingles cases that occur in the U.S. each year occur in people 60 years of age and older. One out of two people who live to age 85 will have had shingles.

The older you get, the longer the shingles rash may last.

The older you get, the more you're at risk for long-term nerve pain.

This is a problem that can occur in some people after the rash disappears.

Long-term nerve pain is more severe and lasts longer in older adults.

There's no way to tell who will get long-term nerve pain.

Shingles can cause other serious complications. Other serious problems that may result from shingles include:

• skin infection
• scarring
• muscle weakness
• decrease or loss of vision or hearing

Are you really at risk? Your doctor or Healthcare Professional is the person to ask.

Your doctor or healthcare professional can answer many of your questions about shingles, problems shingles can cause, and whether you're at risk.

If you think you might have shingles, seek medical attention immediately.

If you notice possible symptoms of shingles, such as itching, tingling or rash on your skin, call your doctor or healthcare professional right away.