Shingles Vaccination Facts

Health and Wellness - General Health

By: hummingbirdee 16-Aug-2012

Introduction:

The purpose of shingles vaccination is to prevent the painful skin rash caused by Herpes Zoster. Shingles appears as a blistered rash on one side of the body or face. It is painful and lasts up to 4 weeks. Shingles can come with a fever, chills, headache, and stomach problems.

Why Get the Vaccination

One of the interesting shingles vaccination facts is that it works for people who have had chicken pox at some point in their life. Shingles only happens to someone who has had chickenpox. On rare occasions, it has appeared in someone who had the chickenpox vaccine. Chicken pox is caused by the Varicella Zoster virus which stays in the body. It reappears later as shingles in some people. You will never catch shingles by being around someone who has it. However, you can get chicken pox from someone who has shingles if you have never had that disease. The vaccine helps to prevent getting shingles.

About Shingles Vaccine

The shingles vaccine was licensed in 2006. It is recommended to be given in a single dose to patients 60 years and older. When the vaccine was studied in clinical trials, it was found that it reduced the risk of getting shingles by 50%. For people in the 60 to 69 age group, the shot worked the best and prevented shingles about 66% percent of the time. For those who still got shingles, the condition and pain was not as severe.

Who Gets Shingles?

It is estimated that about 1 million people get shingles each year in the United States. Most of the time, it happens in people over 50 years of age. However, even children can get shingles. It occurs when someone has a weakened immune system. Shingles comes with severe pain and it can continue even after the rash has gone. This condition is called post-herpetic neuralgia.

Risks from Shingles Vaccine

There are risks when any vaccine is given, but they are usually very small. Allergic reactions are the biggest concern. The shingles vaccine has caused no serious problems to date and it has been closely monitored. Some mild symptoms such as redness, swelling, headache, itching and soreness have been reported in some people.

People Who Should Not Get the Shingles Vaccination

Shingles vaccination facts include a list of people who should not get the vaccine. Those who are allergic to gelatin or an antibiotic called neomycin should not get the shot. Those who have week immune systems because of cancer, AIDS or other serious illnesses should also not take the vaccine. Pregnancy is included on the list. If in doubt, ask your doctor.

Final Thoughts

The shingles vaccine is available at pharmacies, such as Walgreens.

Supporting Links

Adult Immunizations

Give this list a high five!

Comments

Post a Comment

snowfence 8/26/2012
Flag This Comment

Thanks for the shingles vaccination facts!
jseven 8/24/2012
Flag This Comment

I wonder why shingles is rising up so much?
goodselfme 8/17/2012
Flag This Comment

Thank you for your Shingles vaccination list. I have had shingles two times long before any med was given to help except for strong Demerol for pain. I found out I react poorly to Demerol.
dptstretch 8/17/2012
Flag This Comment

Good list and important information...my aunt had shingles and it was brutal...that's probably been ten years and before the vaccine (?). H5