Shingles can affect people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease more significantly than healthier adults, for several reasons:

Weakened Immune Response

People with COPD often have a compromised immune system, either due to the disease itself or from medications like corticosteroids, which suppress the immune system. This can lead to:

• More severe shingles outbreaks
• Longer recovery times
• Higher risk of complications

Increased Risk of Complications

Shingles can lead to postherpetic neuralgia (chronic nerve pain), and in people with COPD, the risk of complications such as pneumonia or bronchospasm may be increased. If the shingles rash appears near the chest or respiratory tract, it could exacerbate breathing problems or trigger a COPD flare-up.

Higher Hospitalization Rates

Studies show that people with COPD are more likely to be hospitalized with shingles than those without chronic conditions, due to increased vulnerability and the need for closer monitoring.

The Importance of Vaccination

Because of these risks, it’s especially important for people with COPD to receive the shingles vaccine (Shingrix), which is highly effective at preventing shingles and its complications, even in older or immunocompromised adults.

Who Gets Shingles?

• Most common in adults over 50.
• Higher risk if you have a weakened immune system (from age, illness, or medications like steroids or chemotherapy).
• People with chronic illnesses like COPD, diabetes, or autoimmune diseases are also at increased risk.

Symptoms of Shingles

• Early symptoms (1–5 days before rash):
• Burning, tingling, itching, or shooting pain on one side of the body or face.
• Fatigue, fever, or headache.

Rash phase:

• A red, blistering rash appears — usually in a stripe or band along one side of the torso, neck, or face.
• The rash eventually crusts over and heals in 2–4 weeks.

Pain:

Pain can range from mild to severe and may last even after the rash resolves (known as postherpetic neuralgia or PHN).

What’s Happening in the Body?

The varicella-zoster virus lives in nerve roots near the spinal cord. When it reactivates it travels along nerves to the skin. This is why the rash and pain follow a specific nerve distribution (called a dermatome). It doesn't cross the midline of the body.

Complications of Shingles

• Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN): Long-term nerve pain in the affected area — can last months or even years.
• Vision loss: If the virus affects the eye (called ophthalmic shingles).
• Neurological problems: If shingles affects the brain or spinal cord (rare but serious).
• Bacterial skin infections: If blisters become infected.

Prevention

The Shingrix vaccine: Recommended for adults 50 and older, and for younger adults with weakened immune systems. Over 90% effective at preventing shingles and Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN). Given as two doses, 2–6 months apart. For more information on shingles and the Shingrix vaccine: https://www.shingrix.ca/en-ca/index.html