All the symptoms of shingles as Ed Sheeran reveals diagnosis

Here's how you can prevent it

Sheeran, 35, as he gave the surprising health update on Instagram, has said that he is now on the mend.

The Grammy winner has shared that he’s been recovering from shingles.

“I’ve had shingles for the last month - wouldn’t recommend it - but on the mend now,” Sheeran wrote in a recent Instagram post.

In spite of his health worries, Sheeran appears to be recovering well and preparing to get back on stage.

The singer is set to launch upcoming tour dates across the U.S. and Latin America, including stops in Philadelphia, Nashville, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Peru, and Costa Rica.

What is shingles?

It is a painful viral condition, which more commonly associated with older adults.

The condition is caused by the same virus responsible for chickenpox. The virus stays dormant in the body and can reactivate later in life, after recovery.

According to health experts, shingles is typically linked to adults over the age of 50, but this is now starting to change.

Samantha Picking, PharmD, Senior Director of Immunizations at Walgreens, said: “Although 50 is when immune function begins to decline, shingles can absolutely be triggered earlier”.

Even for people in their 30s, it is revealed that stress, illness, or a weakened immune system can all increase the risk.

Recently, 26-year-old NBA star Tyrese Haliburton recovered from the painful condition.

According to Mayo Clinic, shingles usually appears as a painful rash on one side of the body.

Which are the shingles symptoms?

- Tingling or burning pain
- Itchy or sensitive skin
- Clusters of fluid-filled blisters

Catching it early matters, as antiviral medications are most effective when taken within 72 hours of symptoms appearing.

Just like chickenpox, shingles is very contagious.

If you have the virus, you can transmit it to others. You can also spread the virus to children, if you’re around young children who have not been vaccinated for the chickenpox.

How can you prevent shingles?

While vaccination reduces the risk big time, there’s no guaranteed way to prevent shingles completely.

Once, the shingles vaccine was recommended only for adults over 50.

However, now it is also available for younger adults (ages 19–49) with weakened immune systems.

According to new research, the shingles vaccine offers protection also against dementia.