Tag: shingles

Viola Davis recently revealed she was diagnosed with shingles, opening up conversations about a disease Black people don't discuss enough. The EGOT-winning actress partnered with GSK for their Shingles, Actually campaign to help adults 50 and older understand their shingles risk. Davis experienced severe symptoms including flu-like illness and an extraordinarily painful rash rated nine out of ten, which started on her stomach and wrapped around her back. The diagnosis became a wake-up call for her to prioritize self-care. Importantly, shingles rashes appear differently on Black skin, often appearing purple, dark brown, or grayish rather than bright red, making recognition harder.

Viola Davis recently shared her shingles diagnosis during an interview with PEOPLE, discussing her new partnership with GSK for their Shingles, Actually campaign aimed at helping adults fifty and older understand their risk. Davis recalled experiencing flu-like symptoms and an extraordinarily painful rash rated nine out of ten after adopting her daughter Genesis while working intensively following her Oscar nomination for The Help. The rash started on her stomach, wrapped around to her back, and later returned with blisters on her upper back, causing severe nerve pain that made it difficult to move.