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Introduction to Shingles
Risk Factors for Shingles
Shingles is one of the most common neurologic diseases in the United States, occurring in 500,000 persons each year. Lifetime prevalence of shingles is estimated to be as high as 20%. Although shingles is not rare in young individuals, the median age of persons with shingles is around 64 years. It has been reported that incidence of shingles in children 10-14 years of age is in the range of one-fifth to one-tenth of the incidence observed in adults 55-65 years of age.
A risk factor is any characteristic that increases the chances of an individual developing a certain illness or condition. Risk factors for shingles include:
- Older age - thought to be due to normal age-related changes in the immune system
- Decreased immune function
- HIV
- Malignancies
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Chronic corticosteroid use
- Use of immunosuppressive drugs
Next: Diagnosis of Shingles
