Both chickenpox and shingles are caused by the varicella-zoster virus, says Sharon Curhan, a physician and epidemiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston. “Once you get chickenpox, the virus remains in your body for the rest of your life.”
Normally, the varicella-zoster virus is suppressed by the immune system and remains in a latent state. But in about 1 in 3 people in the United States (mostly adults over 50), the disease reactivates.
but, Shingrix, a two-dose shingles vaccine This drug, approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2017, can significantly reduce the incidence of shingles and its complications. “The vaccines that we currently have available are incredibly effective,” said William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.
However, one report suggests that only about 30 percent of adults eligible for the vaccine have received it. Government Accountability Board 2022 Report. If you have questions about the effects and risks of shingles and whether Shingrix is right for you, here’s what you need to know.
How serious is shingles actually?
It depends on the person. Blistering rashes can be very painful and itchy. In 8% of cases, shingles may develop in the eye, which causes pain, redness, and swelling in one or both eyes and can lead to permanent vision loss. Up to 18% of people with shingles develop postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), severe nerve pain in the area of the rash that can last for months or even years.
In a small number of cases, shingles can cause more serious complications, as in later stages. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) experienced vision and balance problems, facial paralysis, and encephalitis (swelling of the brain) after contracting the virus in 2023.
Shingles can cause hearing loss, pneumonia, and in rare cases, death. The virus is thought to cause fewer than 100 deaths each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Shingles can also affect systems such as the heart.a The study was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association in 2022 They found the virus was associated with an almost 30 percent increased long-term risk of heart attack and stroke. Study author Dr. Kahan said shingles is thought to have the potential to damage blood vessels. However, this study was conducted before his Shingrix was widely available, so more research is needed to determine whether the vaccine is protective.
Who should and shouldn’t get Shingrix?
The CDC recommends two doses of the Shingrix vaccine for almost everyone over age 50, including people who have already had shingles. (Doses should be given 2 to 6 months apart.) Adults over the age of 19 who have a weakened immune system due to a medical condition or treatment should also receive two doses of Shingrix.
People who have had a severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine should not receive the vaccine. Also, people who had a severe allergic reaction after their first dose of Shingrix should not receive their second dose.
Additionally, the CDC does not recommend getting vaccinated if you currently have shingles or a moderate or severe illness such as Covid-19 or influenza. Wait until it recovers. (A mild cold is fine.) Schaffner also says it’s safe for him to get Shingrix at the same time as other adult vaccines, such as the flu shot or the latest coronavirus vaccine.
If I got Zostavax 10 years ago, do I need to get the new vaccine?
Yes, say the experts. (The CDC says it’s safe to give after five years.) Zostavax, the original shingles vaccine, has been shown to reduce the risk of shingles by 51%.
d 67 percent reduced risk of PHN. Shingrix, on the other hand, is 97 percent effective in preventing shingles in people ages 50 to 69 and 91 percent effective in preventing shingles in people 70 and older. It is also approximately 90 percent effective in preventing PHN in all age groups.
Additionally, Zostavax “worked very well initially, but it lost its effectiveness after about five years, especially in people over 70,” said Albert Shaw, a professor of infectious diseases at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. To tell. According to the CDC, people over the age of 70 with healthy immune systems will likely remain highly protected from Shingrix for at least seven years after vaccination.
I don’t think I had chickenpox as a child, do I need the shingles vaccine?
yes. According to the CDC, more than 99 percent of Americans born before 1980 have had chickenpox, even if they don’t remember having it. Most likely, your symptoms were so mild in childhood that you (or your parents) didn’t know you had the disease, says Ronan Faktra, a geriatrician at the Cleveland Clinic. Sho.
What happens if I don’t get my second dose or don’t get my shot within the recommended time period?
According to some researchers, two doses are more effective than one. 2021 research published in Clinical Infectious Diseases. The study found that two doses reduced the risk of shingles by 13 percentage points compared to one dose. If you miss your second dose, the CDC recommends getting it as soon as possible.
How common are side effects of the shingles vaccine?
Temporary side effects are very common and may last for 2 to 3 days. Most people will feel pain in their arm after the injection, and some may experience redness or swelling in the area.
a Research published in Vaccines in 2020 Other somewhat common symptoms were found to include fever, chills, muscle aches, pain, and fatigue. As for the more serious effects, The study was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology in 2022 The study, which monitored nearly 650,000 vaccine doses administered to adults over 50, found no increases in strokes, seizures, severe allergic reactions, or irregular heartbeats compared to those who did not receive the vaccine. .
However, after receiving the Shingrix vaccine, your risk of developing Guillain-Barre syndrome, in which your immune system attacks your nerves, increases slightly.a The study was published in JAMA Internal Medicine in 2021 They found that this occurred in only 3 cases per 1 million doses of Shingrix.
Where can I get the shingles vaccine? How much does it cost?
Usually available only at pharmacies. Here’s why: Unlike other vaccines such as the pneumococcal vaccine and influenza vaccine, both of which are covered by Medicare Part B, the shingles vaccine is only covered by prescription drug plans such as Medicare Part D. This makes vaccination a little more difficult for doctors. Schaffner said insurance bureaus typically just refer people to local pharmacies.
Good news: The Inflation Control Act of 2022 waives all co-pays for CDC-recommended vaccines, making the shingles vaccine free for eligible people if they have Medicare Part D or private insurance .
What to do if you think you have shingles
Shingles causes pain, burning, and tingling on one side of the body or face for several days, followed by a painful, itchy, blistering rash. It may also be accompanied by headache, chills, and an upset stomach.
If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.probably It is recommended to start prescribing antiviral drugs (aciclovir, famciclovir, or valacyclovir) to reduce the course of the disease and the risk of complications. If you experience discomfort, you can also take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol and generics). Compresses, calamine lotion, and warm oatmeal baths may also help.
Because shingles is contagious, people should isolate as much as possible, says Nisha Lugwani, a geriatrician at Mount Sinai Health System in New York City. Once the blisters scab over (usually it takes 7 to 10 days, but using antivirals can speed up symptoms), you are much less likely to transmit the virus to others. . The rash can be expected to completely disappear within 2 to 4 weeks. Tell your doctor right away if you develop blisters around the eyes or complications such as hearing loss or facial paralysis.
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