UKHSA symptoms as infection causes 'around 50 deaths'

UKHSA symptoms as infection causes 'around 50 deaths'UKHSA has issued adviceCommentsNewsRory Poulter09:58, 16 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesThe UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued fresh advice(Image: Olga Rolenko via Getty Images)The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued some advice as people may face a painful and potentially serious condition.‌Brits who have had chickenpox may be at risk of shingles in later life, UKHSA said, and the infection can cause “severe pain”. It is also linked to around 50 deaths a year in the UK. In a blog post, the agency stressed that anyone who has previously had chickenpox carries the virus for life, meaning millions could be at risk of developing shingles as their immune system weakens.‌Shingles, medically known as herpes zoster, occurs when the dormant chickenpox virus reactivates in the body - often decades after the initial infection. Health officials said the first warning sign is usually “a tingling or painful feeling” on the skin, sometimes alongside a headache or a general sense of being unwell.‌View 2 ImagesBrits who have previously contracted chickenpox are being cautioned(Image: PhotoAlto/Frederic Cirou via Getty Images)This is typically followed by a rash appearing a few days later, developing into itchy, fluid-filled blisters that crust over before healing. Crucially, the rash tends to appear on only one side of the body or face.The UKHSA warned that while some cases are mild, others can be far more serious, with long-lasting and debilitating effects. “Many people don't realise how serious shingles can be,” the agency said.‌“While some cases are mild, it can cause severe pain and have debilitating effects for months. Some people cannot bear anything touching their skin, including clothes or water.”Content cannot be displayed without consentOne of the most common complications is post-herpetic neuralgia - a condition that causes persistent nerve pain long after the rash has healed. In some cases, suf...