Janet Street-Porter recalls suffering from 'utterly debilitating' bout of shingles: 'So painful!'

Janet Street-Porter felt "utterly debilitated" when she came down with shingles.

The broadcast legend, 77, was struck down by the viral infection that causes a painful rash during a particularly busy period in her career some years ago and urged others to go for their vaccine if they are eligible because she found the illness "took over" her entire life and she was in a considerable amount of pain.

Speaking on ITV's 'Lorraine', she said: "Shingles vaccines are available now. They're free, you've got to be over 65 this September or between 70 and 79 or over 50 if your immune system is compromised. I'm urging everyone who is eligible to go and get one. I had shingles twice.

"The first time was when I was working so hard, I was doing two TV shows a week and writing a newspaper column. But suddenly this rash appeared on my body and I thought 'Oh I've got eczema, that's a bit itchy, I'll see what happens tomorrow'.

"Oh my goodness, it's so itchy and so painful. You can't think about anything else, it completely takes over your life and it's utterly debilitating."

The 'Loose Women' star reminded viewers that one in four people will get the virus and those who have suffered from chicken pox in the past are particularly as she remembered having to stop all commitments at the time just to recover.

She said: "One in four people in this country get shingles. If you've had chicken pox the virus is already in your body, it's just dormant and it can be triggered by stress and all sorts of things. When I got it, I couldn't work, I couldn't think. You have to rest to recover. And then, a few years later, I got it again!"