An Australian radio presenter has detailed the debilitating viral infection he contracted during a luxury holiday in Bali.
Jodie Oddy, co-host of Adelaide’s Nova 919 breakfast show alongside Andrew Hayes, has spoken out about her recent hellish holiday which saw her contract a case of shingles.
On Instagram, the Channel Ten reporter shared a photo of herself relaxing in the pool next to the resort’s beach, while in the next image she was seen lying in bed covered in a red rash on her chest and shoulders.
“Insta V Reality. Shingles for the win,” she wrote in her post. “Thank you so much.”
Jodie later revealed that the pain was so bad that she went straight to the emergency room as soon as she returned from the getaway.
“I got off the plane and went straight to the hospital,” he said. Adelaide Advertiser.
“They did all the tests and told me it was definitely shingles.”
Several fans took to the comments to wish the star a speedy recovery and many shared their own experiences with the viral infection.
An Australian radio presenter has detailed the debilitating viral infection he contracted during a luxury holiday in Bali.
“I’ve had shingles twice, the most painful experience I’ve ever had,” one user wrote.
“Oooh, you look like you’re in pain, honey. Poor thing! Take care of yourself,” added another.
“Holy shit, that’s brutal. Everything you feel here, nurse, shingles is sooo painful,” one commented.
Jodie seemed to be having a good time in Bali before she came down with shingles.
The radio star was spotted lounging by the pool, enjoying an evening cocktail with husband Greg and watching the AFL from inside a sports bar.
She even kept up her fitness regime and was spotted posing with other gym goers after a sweaty workout.
Jodie Oddy, co-host of Adelaide’s Nova 919 breakfast show with Andrew Hayes, has spoken out about her recent hellish holiday which saw her contract a case of shingles.
Jodie’s infection comes after the announcement that millions of Australians can now get a free vaccine against the painful shingles.
People classified as “moderate to high risk” between the ages of 18 and 64 now qualify for immunization.
Those eligible now include patients who have underlying health conditions, such as HIV or stage 5 kidney disease, or those receiving certain treatments.
Since 1 November last year, two doses of the vaccine have been free for those aged 65 and over and Indigenous Australians aged 50 and over under the National Immunisation Program.
An extension of the federal government’s initiative means that immunocompromised patients under 65 will no longer have to shell out $560 to receive the vaccine.
“Making the shingles vaccine free for more Australians is not only good for their pocketbooks, it’s good for their health too,” said federal Health Minister Mark Butler.
The new eligibility is the result of medical experts lobbying for change.
Shingles is caused by reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, which is the same childhood virus that causes chickenpox.
The viral infection is often painful and those affected are left covered in a rash of blisters that usually appears on one side of the body.
The rash may also be itchy.
Shingles can also be debilitating, as in addition to the sharp, stabbing pain, patients also have the potential to develop post-illness complications.
Most people who get shingles can expect symptoms to last two to three weeks.
But they may also experience nerve pain for months.
Nearly all adults over the age of 50 carry the dormant virus that can cause shingles, while one in three will develop the viral infection.
Immunocompromised people are twice as likely to develop the virus.
Patients are urged to speak to their GP to check if they are eligible.