Contents:
What Is Shingles And How Can I Prevent It?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines shingles as a painful, localized skin rash caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV) – the same virus that causes chickenpox. Its symptoms include pain and itching or tingling of the skin, followed by a painful skin rash of blister-like lesions, usually localized to a small area on one side of the body. Additional symptoms can include fever, headache, chills and upset stomach. Complications can include extreme pain and very rarely a shingles infection can lead to pneumonia, hearing problems, blindness, brain inflammation (encephalitis) or death.
Shingles is not necessarily well known, but it is relatively common because of VZV’s connection to chickenpox. VZV remains in the system, even after a chickenpox infection has cleared, so if you’ve ever had the chickenpox, you are at risk to develop shingles. Shingles also tends to appear in people who have medical conditions that keep the immune system from working properly, or in those who receive immunosuppressive drugs.
Shingles cannot be spread by coughing, sneezing or casual contact. But one in three people will contract the disease in their lifetime, and the likelihood of getting the disease increases with age. The easiest way to prevent contracting shingles is to get the shingles vaccine.
Who Should Get The Shingles Vaccine?
Most shingles cases affect those over the age of 60 who have had chickenpox. If you fit this criteria, it is recommended that you get the shingles vaccine.
Who Should Not Get The Shingles Vaccine?
The CDC advises against receiving the shingles vaccine if you are someone who:
- Has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to gelatin, the antibiotic neomycin, or any other component of the shingles vaccine. You should tell your doctor if you have any severe allergies, just to be safe.
- Has a weakened immune system because of:
- HIV/AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system.
- Treatment with drugs that affect the immune system, such as steroids.
- Cancer treatment, such as radiation or chemotherapy.
- A history of cancer affecting the bone marrow or lymphatic system, such as leukemia or lymphoma.
- Has active, untreated tuberculosis.
- Is pregnant, or might be pregnant. Women should not become pregnant until at least three months after getting the shingles vaccine.
Someone with a minor illness, such as a cold, can receive the shingles vaccine. But anyone who is moderately or severely ill should wait until they recover before getting the vaccine. This includes anyone with a temperature of 101.3 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
Where Can I Get The Shingles Vaccine?
With fewer doctors providing immunization services, it can be difficult to find a place to get the vaccines you need. Luckily, you can find the shingles vaccine – along with complete immunizations care – at your local Medicine Shoppe® pharmacy. Plus, our immunization-certified pharmacists can answer any questions you may have. Click here to find the location of a Medicine Shoppe pharmacy near you. Or learn more about our immunization services by returning to the Immunizations and Vaccines home page, or visiting the Specialized Care Center – Immunizations section of our site.
Information for this section of the site was pulled from the center for disease control and prevention web site. Please visit www.cdc.gov if you would like more information on shingles and the shingles vaccine.