An Australian radio presenter has given a detailed account of the debilitating viral infection he contracted while on a luxury holiday in Bali.
Jodie Oddy, who co-hosts Adelaide’s Nova 919 breakfast show with Andrew Hayes, has opened up about her recent hellish holiday, which left her with shingles.
The Channel Ten reporter shared a photo of herself relaxing in the resort’s beachside pool on Instagram. In the next photo, she lies in bed, covered in red rashes on her chest and shoulders.
“Insta V Reality. Shingles is the winner,” she captioned her post. “Good, thanks.”
Jodie later said the pain was so bad she went to the emergency room immediately after her flight.
“I got off the plane and went straight to the hospital,” she told the Adelaide Advertiser.
“They did all kinds of tests and I was told it was definitely shingles.”
Several fans responded to the comments, wishing the star a speedy recovery. Many also shared their own experiences with the viral infection.
An Australian radio presenter has given a detailed account of the debilitating viral infection he contracted while on a luxury holiday in Bali
“I’ve had shingles twice, the most painful experience I’ve ever had,” one user wrote.
‘Oooh that looks like it hurts darling. Poor thing! Take care xx,’ added another.
“S**t, that’s really cruel, all those feelings from that nurse here, shingles hurts so much,” someone commented.
Jodie seemed to be enjoying herself in Bali until she got shingles.
The radio star was spotted lounging by the pool, enjoying a cocktail with her husband Greg and watching the AFL from a sports bar.
She even continued her fitness regime and was spotted posing with fellow gym-goers after a sweaty workout.
Jodie Oddy, who co-presents Nova 919’s Adelaide breakfast show with Andrew Hayes, has opened up about her recent hellish holiday, which left her with shingles
Jodie contracted the infection after it was announced that millions of Australians can now get a free vaccination against the painful shingles.
People classified as “moderate to high risk” between the ages of 18 and 64 are now eligible for the vaccination.
Patients who are now eligible include those with underlying health conditions, such as HIV or stage five kidney disease, or those undergoing certain treatments.
Since November 1 last year, two doses of the vaccine have been free for people aged 65 and over and for Indigenous Australians aged 50 and over, as part of the national immunisation program.
An expansion of the federal government’s initiative means immunocompromised patients under 65 will no longer have to pay $560 for the shot.
“If more Australians could get the free shingles vaccination, it would not only be good for their wallets, it would be good for their health,” said Federal Health Minister Mark Butler.
The new admission requirements are the result of medical experts’ push for change.
Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same childhood virus that causes chickenpox.
The viral infection is often painful, with patients left covered in a rash of blisters that usually appear on one side of their body
The rash may also be itchy.
Shingles can also be debilitating, as in addition to the sharp, stabbing pain, patients may also experience post-illness complications.
In most people with shingles, symptoms last two to three weeks.
But they can also suffer from nerve pain for months.
Nearly all adults over the age of 50 carry the inactive virus that can cause shingles, while one in three will develop the viral infection.
People with weakened immune systems are twice as likely to develop the virus.
Patients are advised to speak to their GP to check if they are eligible.
