Check out the doctor Q&A here if you've had a case of shingles before and are wondering whether a vaccine is still worth getting. Turns out, even if you've already been hit by shingles, a vaccine (AFTER all your current symptoms are gone) will still help prevent future recurrences, although the vaccine does not help treat current symptoms.

Check out this doctor Q&A if you're wondering how to manage post-shingles pain (aka post-herpetic neuralgia). Options include:

- Over the counter Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories (eg. ibuprofen)
- Prescription medications made specifically for PHN (such as Amitryptiline or Neurontin)
- Topical anaesthetic gels or creams containing lignocaine (aka lidocaine).
- Natural supplements or creams containing bromelain (pineapple), papain (papaya), or Capsaicin.

More not-so-great news for shingles sufferers (in the wake of finding out last month that having shingles increases your risk of stroke) – Although it was previously believed that shingles usually occurs only once, a US study spanning five years has found that once you've had one episode, you have a one in three chance of being hit again – meaning that recurrences are much more common than originally thought.