Francine Jones, 39, described the pain of shingles as a “lightning strike” that took her breath away. She experienced stabbing pains, blisters, burning, and intense itching for weeks. Her case reflects a broader trend: shingles is rising fastest among adults aged 30 to 49, particularly women.
Why shingles is striking younger adults
A 2019 US study found that shingles cases among 30- to 49-year-olds more than doubled between 1998 and 2017, outpacing older age groups. A 2024 study in Clinical Infectious Diseases showed that adults aged 30–39 with conditions like asthma, diabetes, depression, or stress had a higher shingles risk than immunocompetent 50- to 59-year-olds.
Shingles is caused by reactivation of the chickenpox virus. It often occurs when immunity is impaired. Women face a 56% higher risk across most age groups, possibly due to immune system differences.
Stress and lifestyle as triggers
Jennifer Moffat, associate professor at SUNY Upstate Medical University, said that declining general health—less activity, poor diet, stress, lack of sleep—may be driving the rise. She noted that depression in the 30-39 age group poses as high a risk for shingles as being in one’s 50s. Francine Jones faced personal stress before her shingles and exercised excessively, which studies link to increased risk.
Daisy, now 51, had her first shingles episode at 43 after a new job and bereavement. She experienced pain for years. Her shingles returned twice more, linked to stress, illness, and perimenopause.
Diagnosis challenges
Consultant dermatologist Dr Adil Sheraz said early diagnosis is often missed in younger people. Antivirals work best within 72 hours of symptoms. Hayley, 42, had shingles near her eye repeatedly misdiagnosed, leading to corneal scarring. An optician finally referred her to hospital almost two months later.
Moffat advocates for shingles vaccination at a younger age. For now, she recommends good wellbeing practices as the best prevention. Francine Jones now listens to her body and has taken a break from intense exercise.
