What to do if you have — or suspect you have — shingles

Don't wait to get help for shingles. Early treatment can bring quicker relief.

November 18, 2025

By Lynne Christensen, Staff Wrter

Reviewed by Sharon G. Curhan, MD, ScM, Contributor

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A cropped image showing a shingles rash on the side of an adult male's torso. The skin is visibly inflamed, with clusters of red, blistering lesions.

Tingling, itching, or burning in one area on one side of the body. A day or two later, a blistering rash. That telltale sequence suggests you have herpes zoster, better known as shingles.

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About the Author

Lynne Christensen, Staff Wrter

Lynne Christensen is a staff writer for Harvard Health Publishing, contributing to Harvard Health Letter, Harvard Heart Letter, Harvard Women’s Health Watch, and Harvard Men’s Health Watch. She has also authored Harvard Health Publishing special reports on a variety of … See Full Bio

View all posts by Lynne Christensen

About the Reviewer

Sharon G. Curhan, MD, ScM, Contributor

Dr. Sharon Curhan is a physician and epidemiologist in the Channing Division of Network Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. As a clinical researcher in life course epidemiology, healthy aging and longevity, … See Full Bio

View all posts by Sharon G. Curhan, MD, ScM

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