Shingles is a viral infection. It presents with a rash followed by an episode of intense pain in the infected area. This is caused by the virus called varicella zoster. This virus also causes chickenpox. If a child has had chickenpox, the virus may not completely go away, lie dormant in the body and come back years later as shingles. Older individuals and immunocompromised individuals are more likely to develop shingles. The shingles vaccine is generally recommended for those older than 50 years of age and immunocompromised individuals (those with poor immunity).
The United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has approved two vaccines to effectively prevent shingles: Zostavax and Shingrix. Shingrix provides strong protection against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia (pain that follows the rash). Two doses of Shingrix are more than 90 percent effective at preventing shingles and postherpetic neuralgia. The vaccine is more than 85 percent effective for at least the first four years after vaccination. It is possible to get shingles after being vaccinated since no vaccine is 100 percent effective. However, the vaccine can considerably reduce the risk and intensity of shingles episodes.
Zostavax and Shingrix
The US FDA has approved two vaccines to prevent shingles:
- Zostavax: It is a live vaccine, which contains a weakened form of the virus. It is 51 percent effective in preventing shingles. It is no longer available for use in the United States though.
- Shingrix: It is the newer vaccine and the one recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is a recombinant vaccine, created by altering and purifying deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) that codes for a shingles virus antigen. This antigen produces an immune response to fight the virus. Shingrix is 90 percent effective in preventing shingles and longer lasting than Zostavax. The vaccine is given in two doses six months apart.
Who should get the vaccine?
The CDC recommends the Shingrix vaccine for the following:
- Healthy individuals older than 50 years of age but there is no minimum age
- Uncertain about the history of having chickenpox
- History of having shingles
- History of taking Zostavax vaccine (Those who have taken Zostavax recently should wait at least eight weeks before getting Shingrix.)
QUESTION
What percentage of the human body is water? See AnswerWhen is the shingles vaccine contraindicated?
Shingrix vaccine should be avoided in the following cases:
- History of allergic reaction to the first dose of the shingles vaccine
- History of allergy to any of the ingredients of the vaccine
- Current, ongoing shingles infection
- Other current, ongoing infections that are causing fever
- Currently pregnant or breastfeeding
- A negative test result for the varicella zoster virus (In this case, the chickenpox vaccine is given instead.)
Zostavax vaccine should be avoided in the following cases:
- History of allergy to gelatin, neomycin (an antibiotic), ingredients in the vaccine
- Weakened immune system due to any condition that compromises the immune system, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), autoimmune disease, a long-term steroid medication, cancer, cancer treatment, tuberculosis, organ transplant.
- Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant soon.
What are the side effects of the shingles vaccine?
Like most vaccines, it is normal to experience minor side effects from the Shingles vaccine. They may last for two to three days after getting the vaccine. Common side effects include:
- Pain at the injection site
- Fever
- Body pain
- Headache
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
Taking an over the counter pain medication can help the symptoms.
Rare serious side effects due to allergy
Allergic reaction to shingles vaccine is called anaphylaxis. This can be fatal and requires emergency medical attention. However, it is extremely rare. Signs and symptoms include:
Medscape. Zoster Vaccine Recombinant (Rx). https://reference.medscape.com/drug/shingrix-zoster-vaccine-recombinant-1000163
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Shingles Vaccination. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/index.html
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Shingles (Herpes Zoster). https://www.vaccines.gov/diseases/shingles
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capsicum
The medicinal property of capsicum comes from capsaicin, an oleoresin and the active compound in chili peppers. Capsaicin may be taken orally in food, lozenges, and other products, and applied on the skin as topical creams and lotions, or used as a nasal spray. Capsaicin may be used to treat post-herpetic neuralgia, nerve pain from nerve diseases, joint pain due to osteoarthritis, minor muscle pains, itching (pruritus), post-mastectomy pain syndrome, and others. Common side effects of capsicum include local burning sensation, contact dermatitis, bleeding, hives (urticaria) with topical use, flushing, sweating, cough, nasal discharge (rhinorrhea), mucous membrane irritation, eye irritation, and others.
Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
Do You Have to Be Over 50 to Get the Shingles Vaccine?
Shingles, also called herpes zoster, is a painful rash forming along the path of one spinal or brain nerve. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people over 50 receive two doses of the recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV).
Is Shingles Contagious?
Shingles is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Shingles symptoms and signs include skin burning, numbness, and tingling along with a painful red, blistering rash. Shingles is contagious until all of the blisters have crusted over.
Is There an Age Limit for Shingles?
Shingles is known as herpes zoster and it is a skin disease caused by a varicella-zoster virus. There is no age limit for shingles.lidocaine transdermal
Lidocaine transdermal is a transdermal skin patch used to relieve postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), which is nerve pain after an attack of shingles. Common side effects of lidocaine transdermal include application site reactions (blisters, bruising, discoloration, dermatitis, redness, and others). There are no known interactions of lidocaine transdermal with other drugs. Consult your doctor before using lidocaine transdermal if pregnant or breastfeeding.pregabalin
Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant (antiepileptic) and a pain-relieving (analgesic) medication used to treat seizures and nerve pain (neuralgia) caused by diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia, and fibromyalgia. Common side effects of pregabalin include dizziness, drowsiness (somnolence), vertigo, headache, balance disorder, constipation, nausea, joint swelling, inflammation of nose and throat (nasopharyngitis), increase in liver enzymes ALT and AST, diarrhea, peripheral edema, difficulty with balance/coordination/speech (ataxia), fatigue, dry mouth (xerostomia), weight gain, tremor, blurred vision, double vision, and others.
Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a painful rash caused by the varicella zoster virus. Other shingles symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, and body aches. Treatment focuses on pain management and shortening the duration of the illness with antiviral medications.
Shingles Quiz
Shingles falls within a well-known family of viruses that cause itching, burning, blisters, and pain. Take the Shingles Quiz to get the facts, causes, symptoms, and treatments for this itchy, painful condition.
What Is the Main Cause of Shingles Rash? Signs, Symptoms, Vaccine
Shingles occurs when the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox, re-emerges due to a weakened immune system. Tingling may occur before herpes zoster blisters appear, usually on the side of the body. The shingles vaccine can boost the immune system to lower the risk of shingles outbreaks.
Myths and Facts About Shingles
There are some common misconceptions about this viral illness and the uncomfortable rash it can cause. Here's a guide through the myths and facts of shingles.
How Can You Tell the Difference Between Chickenpox and Shingles?
Both chickenpox and shingles are caused by the varicella-zoster virus. The difference between chickenpox and shingles is that chickenpox usually occurs first, and shingles are a result of a reactivation of chickenpox later on.
Who Cannot Get Shingrix Vaccine?
You cannot get Shingrix if you currently have an infection, had the chickenpox vaccine, are pregnant, or allergic to Shingrix vaccine.Who Is Eligible for the Shingles Vaccine?
Shingles is a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. People eligible for the shingles vaccine include those over the age of 50 and people over the age of 19 who have a weakened immune system.Who Should Get Shingles Vaccine Under 50?
Shingles is a common but preventable condition. Adults 19 and over who have certain immune conditions that increase their risk of shingles can also get the shingles vaccine.Why Is Shingles Worse Than Chickenpox?
Shingles, which is sometimes called herpes zoster, is an illness caused by the same virus that leads to chickenpox. Shingles is more serious than the common childhood illness.
Why You Shouldn't Get the Shingles Vaccine
Shingles activates when your immunity is low, usually with advancing age. But not everyone who is a candidate for the shingles vaccine should take it.Shingles Vaccine (Zoster Shingles Vaccine Live, Zostavax)
Zoster vaccine live (Zostavax) is an attenuated vaccine given to individuals age 60 or older for the prevention of shingles (herpes zoster). Side effects, warnings and precautions, pregnancy information, and complications, should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.