If you’re over the age of 50, you may have heard your doctor mention the shingles vaccine. But what exactly is the shingles vaccine and what are the benefits of getting it?
Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. The virus that causes shingles is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you’ve had chickenpox, the virus stays in your body and can reactivate later in life, causing shingles.
Shingles is more common in people over the age of 50, but anyone who has had chickenpox can get it.
The shingles vaccine is a safe and effective way to help prevent shingles. The vaccine is available in two forms:
-The first is a single dose of the vaccine.
-The second is a two-dose series given two to six months apart.
The shingles vaccine is about 50% effective in preventing shingles. It’s most effective in people over the age of 60.
The vaccine can also help prevent complications from shingles, such as:
-Postherpetic neuralgia: This is a condition that causes pain that can last for months or even years after the rash goes away.
-Vision problems: Shingles can cause inflammation of the eye (herpes zoster ophthalmicus), which can lead to vision loss.
-Skin infections: Shingles can lead to bacterial skin infections.
-Brain inflammation: Shingles can rarely cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis).
The risks of the shingles vaccine are low. The most common side effects are pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site.
If you’re over the age of 50, talk to your doctor about whether the shingles vaccine is right for you.
If you’re over the age of 50, you may have heard your doctor mention the shingles vaccine. Also known as Herpes Zoster Vaccine, this immunization can help protect you from developing shingles, a painful and sometimes debilitating condition caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox.
While the majority of people who receive the shingles vaccine don’t experience any serious side effects, some may experience redness, swelling, and pain at the injection site. These side effects are usually mild and go away within a few days.
So, what are the benefits of getting the shingles vaccine? Here are a few to consider:
-The shingles vaccine can help prevent you from developing shingles.
-If you do develop shingles, the vaccine can help make the symptoms less severe.
-The shingles vaccine can help prevent the spread of shingles to others.
-The shingles vaccine is safe and effective.
-The shingles vaccine is available at most pharmacies and doctor’s offices.
If you’re over the age of 50 and have not yet received the shingles vaccine, talk to your doctor about whether it’s right for you.
