OWASSO, Okla. — The Centers for Disease Control said one in three U.S. people develop shingles yearly, but now, doctors report more cases than before.
A little over a month ago, Dren Pfeifer woke up with what she thought were hives on her face, but as the days went on, she began to have a stinging pain.
She went to the doctor and got diagnosed with shingles. Pfeifer got the virus in her eyes, and she almost lost one eye.
“Definitely uncomfortable, and painful, the first three days I just slept all day and had no appetite, you just feel sick,” Pfeifer said.
According to her physician, Dr. Cupp, almost everyone born before 198 was exposed to the chicken pox virus, which causes shingles later in life.
Cupp said he's seen an influx of new shingles patients. Usually, he sees four to five patients come in with shingles a year.
“More focused outbreak as of late, it’s hard to say. I would dare say it’s due to stress associated with the holidays and seasonally,” Dr. Cupp said.
Cupp also said the average age is trending younger than the previous average age of 50.
“I have seen even in just younger people being diagnosed with shingles in their 30s. I think I may even have a case, not recently, but someone in their mid-20s,” Dr. Cupp said.
There is a vaccine adults around the age of 50 can receive to prevent shingles, something Pfeifer said she wished she would have gotten sooner.
“I wouldn’t wish it on anyone ... I wish I could have avoided this issue.”
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