One in 3 at risk of shingles and chronic pain – consumer survey launched.

27 November 2023

Painaustralia is today launching a national survey for consumers who have been affected or whose relatives have been affected by shingles and the pain that comes with the condition.

One in three Australians are at risk of developing shingles and nearly all adults over 50 carry the inactive virus that causes shingles. The risk of shingles increases as we age.

Shingles is caused by the Varicella zoster Virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox in earlier life.

One of the most debilitating effects of shingles is neuralgic pain that can go on for months after any rash caused by the virus has disappeared making life very difficult.

Painaustralia CEO Giulia Jones said:

“Many people don’t realise that chronic pain is one of the harshest effects of shingles, we are keen to hear more and let consumers tell us in their own words how this pain has affected their lives,” she said.

“We would like to invite people from all over Australia to tell us what it has been like for them and answer the questions,” Painaustralia CEO Giulia Jones said.

“Our hope is to produce a report to shed light on how people with shingles live, the associated pain and how their lives are affected by this condition. Their stories will assist us to raise awareness of the impact of shingles, the importance of the vaccination and reduce the stigma people face with chronic pain conditions.

“Recently the Federal Government announced that the over 65s and some vulnerable people are eligible for a shingles vaccine free under the National Immunisation Program, while this is an excellent initiative, we want to hear from people especially those aged 50-65 who are not yet eligible for a government funded vaccine to see how their work lives have been affected by the pain and discomfort that shingles entails,” Ms Jones said.

The survey will be open for consumers until the beginning of January 2024 and can be found here.

Media enquiries please contact Giulia Jones on 0439 958 298