Bjørn B. Jacobsen developed a painful rash on his face three days after shingles began, delaying treatment beyond the recommended 72-hour window.
The 58-year-old from Oppland, Norway, said he did not recognize the early symptoms of shingles and had not been vaccinated against the virus, which lies dormant after chickenpox and can reactivate later in life.
By the time he sought care at an Oslo emergency clinic during the second week of February, the virus had already inflamed nerves in half his head and affected his eye, leaving lingering pain and slight drooping even after the skin lesions healed.
Shingles can cause long-term nerve damage when treatment is delayed
Jacobsen described ongoing discomfort despite the disappearance of visible sores, managed now with eye drops and other medications to address postherpetic neuralgia, a common complication when shingles affects facial nerves.
Medical guidelines emphasize that antiviral drugs are most effective when started within three days of rash onset to reduce the risk of chronic pain, vision problems, or neurological issues.
Public health officials urge vaccination for adults over 50
The Norwegian Institute of Public Health recommends the shingles vaccine for individuals aged 65 and older, though it is available from age 50, particularly for those with weakened immune systems or prior chickenpox infection.
Last year, a similar case in Trondheim highlighted gaps in public awareness, where a delayed diagnosis led to prolonged hospitalization for eye-related complications from shingles.
What is shingles and who is at risk?
Shingles, or herpes zoster, is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox; anyone who has had chickenpox can develop it, with risk increasing after age 50.
Can shingles be prevented?
Yes, a vaccine is available and recommended for adults over 50 to reduce the likelihood of developing shingles and its complications, including long-term nerve pain.
