Shingles – is it preventable by vaccine

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is an infection of a nerve and the skin around it. It's caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox.

It's estimated that around one in every four people will have at least one episode of shingles during their life.

Most people have chickenpox in childhood, but after the illness has gone, the varicella-zoster virus remains dormant (inactive) in the nervous system. The immune system keeps the virus in check, but later in life it can be reactivated and cause shingles.

The shingles virus is reactivated at a later stage in life, but most cases are thought to be caused by having lowered immunity (protection against infections and diseases).

Shingles is a painful rash illness, which sometimes leads to long-term nerve pain. About 1 out of 3 people in the United States will develop shingles during their lifetime. Your risk of shingles increases as you get older. People 50 and older should get 2 doses of the new shingles vaccine to protect against this painful disease.

Vaccines can help keep you from developing severe shingles symptoms or complications from shingles. All children should receive two doses of the chickenpox vaccine, also known as a varicella immunization. Adults who’ve never had chickenpox should also get this vaccine. The immunization doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t get chickenpox, but it does prevent it in 9 out of 10 people who get the vaccine.

Adults who are 60 years old or older should get a shingles vaccine, also known as the varicella-zoster immunization. This vaccine helps to prevent severe symptoms and complications associated with shingles.

Shingles is contagious. If you become infected, certain steps must be taken to prevent the spread of the infection, including:

·      keeping your rash covered

·      avoiding contact with people who haven’t had chickenpox or who have weakened immune systems

·      frequent hand washing