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A growing number of Australians are suffering from the shingles virus.

9NEWS shared that the number of cases of shingles has almost trebled in recent years.

One sufferer told 9NEWS “It’s like stabbing constantly, it’s a nerve pain so just this constant stabbing and any kind of movement would aggravate it.”

The latest Department of Health figures show a dramatic increase in cases in recent years.

Last year there were 9188 cases reported and this year there has already been nearly 6000.

Symptoms and treatment of shingles

Health authorities say most people carry the virus and one in three people will develop the disease, which is often brought on by stress or illness.

It’s a herpes virus, like chicken pox, and can remain dormant for years until it develops into shingles.

In most cases a rash appears accompanied with severe pain in the lower back.

It can be treated effectively by anti-viral medication, if caught early enough.

There is a vaccine available for shingles if you’re over 50.

It costs around $200, unless you’re aged between 70 and 80 – then the vaccine is free.

While shingles affects mostly the elderly, there’s a growing number of younger people contracting the virus.

Have you suffered from shingles?

Share your experience below.

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  • I have a couple of friends that had shingles and they said it was terribly painful.

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  • Not just older people are affected. Horrible to have I would think.

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  • If its so awful why isn’t the vaccine free for everyone?

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  • Sounds like a horrible, painful disease.

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  • Wondering if the price of the vaccine could be reduced for this horrid thing.

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  • I read about this today. A lady I work with got it and ended up with bells palsy in one side of her face. It’s not something to take lightly!

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  • I’ve never had it, but my husband has. And recently a friend of ours had it too

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  • We’ve had some of our teachers struck down with this in the past. Apparently it is very painful.

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  • I didn’t know it mostly affected older people.

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  • I never suffered from it and I didn’t even know there was a vaccine.

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  • Luckily I haven’t but I have heard that it’s so painful

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  • My dad had it a few years ago, my partner had it many years ago and my daughter in law had it earlier this year. Hers spread to her eye and she nearly lost her sight

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  • I know of people who have had it and it is extremely painful.

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  • I haven’t but I’ve seen people who have. Not pleasant

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  • Oh my this is not something you want to get. I haven’t personally had it but my friend had it in her eye. Not good at all.

    Reply

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