NHS Pharmacy First service

Pharmacy First - Shingles advice and treatment service in Chigwell

Those aged 18 years old and over can access advice and NHS-funded* Treatment for shingles, without the need to see your GP.

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Advice and treatment service for Shingles in Chigwell

Chigwell Pharmacy offers advice and NHS-funded treatment for shingles through the Pharmacy First Service in Chigwell to eligible patients.

Now you can book your appointment online.

If you have symptoms suggestive of a shingles infection, it is important to get an antiviral treatment, if it is clinically appropriate, at the initial stages to reduce the duration and severity of the infection.

What is Shingles?

Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. It is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. When an individual is infected with chickenpox, the virus stays in their body in an inactive form. The inactive virus can become activated due several reasons, causing shingles.

The virus that causes chickenpox and later becomes reactivated to cause shingles is called the varicella-zoster virus.

What are the Main Symptoms of shingles?

The initial signs of shingles include:

Painful feeling in an area of the skin
Having a headache or feeling unwell

The rash usually appears a few days later. The rash occurs most commonly on the chest or tummy but it can appear anywhere on the body, including the face, eyes and genitals.

The rash usually develops on one side of the body.

*If you are issued a prescription medicine, you will pay the standard NHS prescription charge unless you’re eligible for free prescriptions.

What are the available treatments for shingles through the Pharmacy First Service?

Your symptoms will be assessed by one of the pharmacists during a consultation. You may be offered treatment through the Pharmacy First Service if it is clinically appropriate and you are eligible under this service.

Antiviral tablets (for the treatment of shingles (herpes zoster) infection)

If the pharmacist is unable to offer treatment through this service, they will recommend an alternative or sign-post you to another service.

Want to learn more about shingles? Check out the NHS webpage for up-to-date advice and information on sore throat.

Advice and treatment for other common conditions in Chigwell

The Pharmacy First Service is an NHS service designed to offer free advice and treatments to eligible patients for seven common conditions including Infected Insect Bites. Patients can access this service at Chigwell Pharmacy in Chigwell.