What Is Shingles That Made Oscars 2025 Presenter Harrison Ford Pull Out Of Ceremony At The Last Minute?

Oscars 2025: Harrison Ford, who recently featured in Captain America: Brave New World, will give the 97th Academy Awards a miss after being diagnosed with shingles. The 82-year-old actor's representative confirmed Ford's diagnosis and his absence from the ceremony. Ford was supposed to be one of the presenters at the awards gala (streaming in India on March 3) but was diagnosed with shingles on Friday.

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What is Shingles?

Shingles is an infection caused by a virus. The main symptom is a painful rash. As per the Mayo Clinic, the disease -- also known as herpes zoster -- is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It's the same virus that causes chickenpox and the symptoms are somewhat similar. While chickenpox causes itchy blisters that might start on your back, chest, and face and spread to the rest of your body. Shingles shows up on one side of your body, usually in one specific area.

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What are the symptoms of Shingles?

The early signs of shingles include:

Enlarged lymph nodes
Cluster of tiny blisters that open spontaneously
Stabbing or shooting pain (this can happen without a rash)
A tingling or burning feeling in or under your skin
Fever
Chills
Headache
Feeling tired
Sensitivity to light
Upset stomach

A visit to the doctor is advised as such signs show up in an affected person's body.

Shingles has stages

If you have shingles, it will probably take 2-6 weeks for your illness to run its course. Shingles has three stages, the pre-rash, eruptive and chronic. If your shingles infection becomes chronic, your pain will last more than 4 weeks.

Is Shingles contagious?

Yes. You can spread the varicella-zoster virus to people who’ve never had chickenpox and haven’t been vaccinated. An affected person is contagious until all of the sores have crusted over.

How is Shingles treated?

Antiviral drugs can help you heal faster and cut your risk of complications. Home and over-the-counter remedies such as cold compresses, calamine lotion, and oatmeal baths can help relieve itching caused by the rash.