# Viola Davis Describes Severe Shingles Pain, Says Experience Changed Her Life
Award-winning actress and producer Viola Davis shared details about her experience with shingles, describing the pain level as a "9 out of 10." Davis opened up about how the viral infection altered her perspective and lifestyle.
Shingles, caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (the same virus responsible for chickenpox), typically produces painful rashes and burning sensations. The severity Davis reported reflects experiences documented in medical literature, where shingles pain ranks among the most intense forms of acute pain patients encounter.
Davis' willingness to discuss her shingles experience publicly contributes to broader conversations about the condition, which affects approximately one in three Americans during their lifetime, according to CDC data. The infection commonly strikes people over age 50, though it can develop at any age following chickenpox infection.
The actress indicated that contracting shingles produced lasting changes in her life. Such profound impacts align with documented effects of shingles on quality of life, including disrupted sleep, limited mobility, and long-term complications like postherpetic neuralgia, a condition where pain persists after the rash resolves.
Davis' public disclosure about her experience serves as a reminder of shingles' serious health implications. Healthcare providers recommend vaccination as the primary prevention strategy. The CDC recommends the recombinant zoster vaccine (Shingrix) for adults age 50 and older and for immunocompromised individuals age 18 and older, regardless of prior shingles history or previous varicella vaccination status.
By sharing her personal health story, Davis joins other public figures in raising awareness about infectious diseases that significantly impact physical health and daily functioning. Her account underscores why dermatologists and infectious disease specialists emphasize early recognition and treatment of