Bernie endured scream-out-loud pain for weeks. Read his story

This is what Bernie Blackall of Bayside, Melbourne experienced when he was stricken with a bout of shingles.

The then 65-year-old's battle with shingles began 18 months ago when he felt a sharp pain in the kidney area. His partner took a look and saw a red, blistering rash and immediately knew it was shingles... then the agony began.

Within a day of first noticing the rash, the previously fit and active high school teacher, who would swim and train almost every day, could no longer lie on his back. He would try to sleep with the covers held over his body as he couldn't put them on his skin due to the pain.

"Every time I nodded off to sleep my arm would relax and the sheets would touch my body. Then I'd wake up screaming because of the pain. I was desperate, at my wits end," he says. "The pain was unbelieveable, it was abscess level pain but over a large area."

Strong painkillers made no difference. Bernie's doctor told him he would have to "ride out" the agony.

"The pain became so bad, I couldn't function. I couldn't go to work for three weeks. My partner rang the hospital for help but they said there was nothing that could be done. I eventually went to the hospital in desperation and they finally gave me a dose of morphine which gave me a few hours sleep."

Bernie compares the pain of shingles to a cliff diving injury he suffered a few years ago in France, where he dislocated his shoulder.

"For me, the pain of shingles was like having my shoulder dislocated constantly for eight or nine days and with no relief."

Concerned that many older Australians may be unaware of their risk of developing shingles, medical experts and patients are partnering to help raise community awareness of the condition.

Interrupted by Shingles is a campaign which seeks to educate the community about signs, symptoms and risk factors.

If you had chickenpox as a child or younger person (even if you don't remember being sick or had a really mild case) you are at risk of shingles, which is caused by a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus - the same virus that causes chickenpox.

You can only get shingles if you have had chickenpox in the past but most older people in Australia would have contracted chickenpox as children.

Shingles causes an itchy, blistering rash usually on one side of the body, either on the face, chest, back, abdomen or pelvis, which can take several weeks to settle.

One in 10 people will develop post-herpetic neuralgia where the pain and tingling can last for months or even years - in some cases destroying lives and careers.

There are a number of symptoms which can arise even before the rash including burning, tingling or itching, a stabbing sensation, sensitivity to touch and/or light, fever and/or headache and fatigue.

In a few cases shingles will affect the eyes and can cause vision loss.

A recent survery of Australians aged 50 - 79 has shown many are unaware of, or are underestimating, their risk of developing shingles.

The survey showed only 8 per cent of people believe they are at risk of shingles in the next 12 months, 15 per cent in the next five years and 19 per cent in the next 10 years.

However, up to one in three Australians risk developing shingles in their lifetime.

The data also suggests there is a gap between Australian's knowledge of shingles and their actions. Out of those surveyed, 75 per cent of Australians say they understand that shingles is a serious disease; however, only 16 per cent of people in their 50s and 22 per cent of people in their 60s have discussed shingles with their GP.

Shingles costs the Australian health system over $310 million annually, including $47m in hospitalisations and $5.8m in GP costs.

Dr Sarah Chu, a GP with an interest in shingles, says that for Australians aged 50 years and over the risk of developing shingles may be higher than they believe.

"Up to 1 in 3 Australians risk developing shingles in their lifetime and up to 99.5 per cent of adults 50 years and over carry the virus that can cause shingles."

Dr Chu says public health measures like social distancing or mask wearing don't impact rates of shingles as the virus that causesthe condition comes from within the body.

"As we get older our immune system starts to decline and this can lead to the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, causing shingles. "

Dr Jana Pittman, Olympic athlete, mum and doctor, says she witnessed her mother experience shingles and how it can interrupt the lives of people affected and their loved ones.

"It was really difficult to see my mother experience the terrible pain of shingles for nearly five weeks," says Jana.

"She wasn't even able to wear clothes because the touch of them on her skin would cause too much pain. It really disrupted her life - she couldn't have any visitors, help look after her grandchildren or even do basic things like going to the shops."

If you think you might have shingles it's important to see your GP quickly as antiviral drugs can be given within the first three days of the rash appearing, which may lessen the symptoms.

There are two vaccines available for shingles.

Zostavax is currently free under the National Immunisation Program for immunocompetent adults aged 70 years with a catch-up vaccination available for adults aged 71 to 79 years until October 31, 2023. For everyone else, there is a cost (around $250 depending on the pharmacy).

Shingrix is a more modern and effective vaccine but it is only available on a private prescription from a doctor. Two doses are required two to six months apart (About $250 - $300 each depending on the pharmacy).

For more information about shingles, speak to your healthcare professional and visit knowshingles.com.au