Viola Davis Talks About Shingles Pain and Healthy Aging
Listen to the story
Actress Viola Davis has opened up about her experience with shingles, a painful skin condition. She said the pain was 'debilitating,' meaning it was severe enough to affect her daily life. Davis explained that she was diagnosed with shingles, which means a doctor confirmed she had the illness.
Shingles can cause a painful rash and is more common in adults over the age of 50. Because of this, Davis has partnered with GSK, a pharmaceutical company, to raise awareness about the condition. The new health campaign aims to teach older adults about the risks of shingles and encourage them to learn more about prevention.
In addition to discussing her diagnosis, Davis shared thoughts on what she believes is the 'key to aging beautifully.' While details of her advice were not fully explained, her comments focus on staying healthy and positive as people grow older.
Davis is known for her acting career and has become a respected voice in public health conversations. By sharing her personal story, she hopes to help others recognize the symptoms of shingles early and seek medical advice. This kind of openness from public figures often helps reduce the stigma around health issues and encourages people to take preventive steps, such as vaccination, especially as they enter their 50s and beyond.
Vocabulary10 words
- shingles
- a painful sickness that affects the skin
- GSK
- a large company that makes medicines
- diagnosed
- told by a doctor what illness you have
- debilitating
- very weakening; making someone unable to function normally
- awareness
- public knowledge about an issue
- campaign
- an organized effort to achieve a goal
- public health
- health issues that affect many people in society
- rash
- red marks or spots on the skin
- prevention
- stopping something before it happens
- pharmaceutical
- related to making medicine
📚 Ready to use these words in a real conversation?
Practice live with a real tutor on Preply.
Quiz
Answer key
1. It was debilitating 2. They are more likely to get shingles 3. GSK
✅ Nice work on the quiz!
Keep the momentum going — book a live English lesson with a Preply tutor.
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Actress Viola Davis has opened up about her experience with _____.
She said the pain was '_____,' meaning it affected her daily life.
Davis explained that she was _____ with shingles.
Shingles is more common in adults over the age of _____.
Davis has partnered with _____, a pharmaceutical company.
The new health _____ aims to teach older adults about the risks.
Davis shared thoughts on the key to _____ beautifully.
Davis is known for her acting career and public _____ conversations.
She hopes to help others recognize the _____ of shingles early.
This may encourage people to consider _____, especially after age 50.
More Entertainment stories
Next story · Medium
Rangers Boss McInnes Says International Break Is 'Too Long'
