Shingles and Zostavax
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Information on Shingles and Zostavax |
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Shingles Vaccine- Zostavax
A vaccine for shingles (Zostavax) was licensed in 2006. Someone with a minor illness, such as a cold may be vaccinated. But anyone who is moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting the vaccine. Common Side Effects: |
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A single dose of Shingles Vaccine is indicated for adults 60
years of age and older. The vaccine may be given whether or not the patient has had a previous episode of Shingles. |
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| Chicken Pox Can Lie Dormant In The Body Like A Sleeping Time Bomb |
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Please be advised, the following photos are of a graphic nature.
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A Painful Rash – Is It Shingles?
Shingles (Herpes zoster) is a skin rash that is often extremely painful caused
by the Varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. In
people who have had chickenpox, the virus is never fully cleared from the
body; instead, it remains dormant in the nerve tissues. When physical or
emotional stresses to the body weaken the immune system, the virus re-activates
and spreads along the nerve fibers to the particular area of skin supplied
by the involved nerve (called a dermatome). The virus responsible for chickenpox
and shingles is a member of the Herpesviruses, although it is not the same
as the Herpes simplex 1 and 2 viruses that cause cold sores and genital herpes,
respectively.
Pain, itching, tingling, or burning of the skin often precede the rash in an
outbreak of shingles. The blisters that develop resemble the lesions of chickenpox
but are concentrated in the area supplied by the involved nerve. Rarely, more
than one nerve is involved. Blisters may occur along the entire path of the
nerve or only in certain areas supplied by the nerve. As with the blisters
of chickenpox, the blisters in shingles eventually burst and begin to crust
over and heal. The entire outbreak can last for three to four weeks.
Before the blisters are crusted over, the virus can be spread to anyone who
does not have immunity to chickenpox through vaccination or previous infection.
The pain of shingles can be so severe, even before the rash develops, that
it mimics dangerous conditions such as appendicitis, kidney stones, or a heart
attack, depending upon the location of the nerve that is affected. The appearance
of the characteristic rash is usually sufficient to establish the diagnosis
of shingles. Antiviral drugs are sometimes prescribed to reduce the duration
of the rash, but their effectiveness is limited. Steroids or pain medications
are sometimes given to help control the pain of shingles.
Most people with intact immune systems recover completely from shingles, although
recurrences are possible. Since immune function declines with age, older persons
are most vulnerable to shingles. About half of shingles cases occur in people
over age 60. People with weakened immune systems due to cancers, chemotherapy,
or HIV infection are also at increased risk for the development of shingles.
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