To describe the natural history of a condition or disease. To describe the natural history of a condition or disease. To determine effectiveness or cost effectiveness of treatments/services and/or health care products. To measure or monitor safety and harm. To measure quality of care.
According to the NMSS, attacks or flare-ups of symptoms only qualify as exacerbations if: 1  they occur at least 30 days from an earlier flare-up. 2  symptoms last for 24 hours or longer.
However, most adults with shingles can experience flare-ups more often when their immune function is low, or they are otherwise ill. In total, the condition can last for anywhere from two to six weeks, and many people only experience an outbreak one time.