Herpes zoster , also known as shingles, is a viral infection. It is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox in children. After a child has recovered from chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in the body. The virus can be stimulated later in life, typically at age 60 and older. It is revived as the shingles virus.
The virus re-emerges as shingles for unknown reasons. Suspected causes include stress or a weakened immune system. It is typically only revived once with only one bout of symptoms. More than one episode can occur. It is a common illness in the US.
The virus that causes shingles can be spread to people who have not yet had chickenpox. These people would get chickenpox, not shingles.
The most common symptoms of shingles include:
Shingles and its symptoms typically get better over time. Medicine may be given to reduce pain. Antiviral medicines, like acyclovir , may be given to help the symptoms go away faster.
Possible complications include blindness, deafness, paralysis of the face, loss of taste, or infection. While rare, nerve pain may last for years.
You should not get the vaccine if you:
Shingles can be passed to others. It causes chickenpox in people who have not had the disease or the vaccine. These people should get the chickenpox vaccine .
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
American Academy of Dermatology
http://www.aad.org/
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
References:
A look at each vaccine: shingles vaccine. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia website. Available at: http://www.chop.edu/consumer/jsp/division/generic.jsp . Accessed February 4, 2007.
Shingles disease: questions and answers. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/shingles/dis-faqs.htm . Accessed February 4, 2007.
Herpes zoster , also known as shingles, is a viral infection. It is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox in children. After a child has recovered from chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in the body. The virus can be stimulated later in life, typically at age 60 and older. It is revived as the shingles virus.
The virus re-emerges as shingles for unknown reasons. Suspected causes include stress or a weakened immune system. It is typically only revived once with only one bout of symptoms. More than one episode can occur. It is a common illness in the US.
The virus that causes shingles can be spread to people who have not yet had chickenpox. These people would get chickenpox, not shingles.
The most common symptoms of shingles include:
Shingles and its symptoms typically get better over time. Medicine may be given to reduce pain. Antiviral medicines, like acyclovir , may be given to help the symptoms go away faster.
Possible complications include blindness, deafness, paralysis of the face, loss of taste, or infection. While rare, nerve pain may last for years.
This vaccine is a live, weakened form of the chickenpox virus. It is given as a shot under the skin.
You should not get the vaccine if you:
If you have never had chickenpox, you cannot get shingles. However, you may be stricken with a severe case of chickenpox. If you had chickenpox, you are at risk for shingles. This is because the virus stays in your body. Getting the vaccine can reduce your risk.
Shingles can be passed to others. It causes chickenpox in people who have not had the disease or the vaccine. These people should get the chickenpox vaccine .
