Chance of getting Shingles greater as we age

Most of us have had "Chicken Pox" as a child, but many do not realize the virus does not go away. It invades the nervous system and lies dormant without symptoms ready to come back as Shingles when our immune system changes.

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a disease that affects an estimated 2 in every 10 people in their lifetime. This year, more than 500,000 people will develop shingles.

Although it is most common in people over age 50, if you have had chickenpox, you are at risk for developing Shingles. Shingles is also more common in people with weakened immune systems from HIV infection, chemotherapy or radiation treatment, transplant operations, and stress.

Symptoms: Early signs of shingles include burning or shooting pain and tingling or itching generally located on one side of the body or face. The pain can be severe. Rash or blisters are present anywhere from 1 to 14 days.

Diagnosis: You should go to your health care provider if you develop a rash. By looking at the rash, your health care provider can tell whether you have shingles and start you on treatment if you do.

Treatment: There is no cure for shingles, but the severity and duration of an attack of shingles can be significantly reduced if you are treated immediately with antiviral medicines. These medicines include acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famcyclovir.

Prevention: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults 60 years of age and older get a single dose of the shingles vaccine (called Zostavax) even if they have had a prior episode of shingles.

To learn more about shingles and to read the full article: Click Here

Norman Traverse, M.D., Editor, & Civic Association Director
 

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