Shingles is an infection that can cause painful rashes and blisters anywhere on the body. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. If you’ve had chickenpox at any point in the past, the virus is still present in your body and can re-activate later in life as shingles.
Although shingles isn’t life-threatening, it can be very painful. Additionally, it can lead to postherpetic neuralgia, a complication that causes shingles pain to occur long after rashes and blisters are no longer present.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the only protection available against shingles is vaccination. Two doses of the shingles vaccine, also known as Shingrix, are recommended for all adults over the age of 50, as well as adults over the age of 19 who have weakened immune systems due to disease or medical treatment. You should also get the vaccine if you’ve already had shingles, as it can prevent future occurrences of the condition.
The shingles vaccine is safe, with side-effects generally going away no more than three days after receiving a dose. Side-effects are also more common in young people. They typically include:
- Soreness in the injected arm
- Redness and swelling around the vaccination site
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Muscle pain
- Fever
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
There is also a very small risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a serious nervous system disorder, associated with the shingles vaccine; this risk, however, is also associated with the shingles itself.
While most people should get the shingles vaccine at some point, it may not be right for everyone based on certain factors. You should not receive the vaccine while you currently have shingles, are pregnant, or if you have previously had a severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine.
You can receive the shingles vaccine at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.