Shingles at 30? How the Vaccine Can Prevent Excruciating Pain

Shingles is not just a disease of the elderly, and its impact can be severe even for those in their 30s and 40s.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:37am

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray photograph showing the human nervous system, with glowing nerves and spinal cord against a dark background, conceptually representing the internal damage and pain caused by shingles.An X-ray view of the nervous system reveals the internal damage and pain caused by shingles, a condition that can strike at any age.Tucson Today

Shingles, a painful and often debilitating condition, is not just a disease of the elderly. It can strike at any age, and its impact can be severe, even for those in their 30s and 40s. The varicella-zoster virus, which causes chicken pox, lies dormant in our bodies for years after an infection, only to reemerge as shingles when our immune systems weaken. The shingles vaccine can prevent this excruciating pain, but many people are hesitant to get vaccinated due to misconceptions about side effects.

Why it matters

The number of shingles cases has quadrupled from the 1940s to the early 2000s, and doctors believe increased stress and changes in the American diet are contributing factors. Chronic conditions like diabetes and asthma also increase the risk of shingles in younger adults. The shingles vaccine may also offer broader benefits than just preventing shingles, such as helping protect against dementia and slowing biological aging.

The details

Chad Bernhard, a New York City-based audio instructor, experienced a rash, itching, and sharp pain on the left side of his body, around his chest and back, when he was in his mid-30s. This was his first encounter with shingles, and it was a harrowing experience. Alison Meadow, a college professor in Tucson, Arizona, experienced shingles after a fall and scrape during a run. She hesitated to seek medical attention but eventually got diagnosed and treated with an antiviral drug. However, for some, shingles symptoms can linger, leading to post-herpetic neuralgia, or ongoing nerve pain.

  • In the 1940s, the number of shingles cases was much lower than it is today.
  • By the early 2000s, the number of shingles cases had quadrupled.

The players

Chad Bernhard

A New York City-based audio instructor who experienced shingles in his mid-30s.

Alison Meadow

A college professor in Tucson, Arizona, who experienced shingles after a fall and scrape during a run.

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What they’re saying

“It itched, and then it turned into a sharp, stabbing pain, like the whole side of your body was being stung by hornets, continuously.”

— Chad Bernhard, Audio Instructor

“The shot seems to have this wider benefit of basically helping control aging.”

— Eileen Crimmins, Professor of Gerontology, University of Southern California

What’s next

Doctors emphasize that the shingles vaccine is not something to skip. It's recommended that people receive the vaccine at 50, when insurance typically covers it.

The takeaway

Shingles is a hidden health threat that can affect people of all ages. Recognizing the early symptoms and seeking treatment promptly is crucial. The shingles vaccine not only prevents excruciating pain but may also offer broader benefits, including protection against dementia and slower biological aging.