What are the warning signs for the onset of shingles?

Pain: Burning, sharp pain is the most common symptom, sometimes several days before the rash appears.

Pain and a rash: Pain followed shortly by a rash on one side of the body in an area supplied by a nerve (dermatome) heralds the onset of a shingles attack. You should discuss getting the shingles vaccine with your doctor. It decreases the miserable complication of "post-herpetic neuralgia".