After the chickenpox clears, the virus remains dormant within our body. But for some adults, for reasons that are not absolutely clear, the virus can reactivate and cause shingles. Shingles is most common in elderly adults and those with weakened immune systems. Your risk of getting shingles increases with age. In , the U. Though more often you may hear recommendations to get it at 50 plus. It only has to be administered one time. Although some can still develop shingles despite the vaccine, it will decrease the length and severity of an outbreak.
Vision loss can happen if shingles affects your eye. It may be temporary or permanent. Hearing or balance problems are possible if you have shingles within or near your ear.
You may also have weakness of the muscles on that side of your face. These problems can be temporary or permanent. How is shingles diagnosed? What are the treatments for shingles? Can shingles be prevented? Start Here. Diagnosis and Tests. Prevention and Risk Factors. Clinical Trials. Article: Shingles, Zostavax vaccination and risk of developing dementia: a nested case-control Article: Risk of herpes zoster associated with biological therapies for psoriasis and Article: Efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia Shingles -- see more articles.
Find an Expert. Older Adults. Varicella-zoster is part of a group of viruses called herpes viruses, which includes the viruses that cause cold sores and genital herpes. Because of this, shingles is also known as herpes zoster. But the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles is not the same virus responsible for cold sores or genital herpes, a sexually transmitted infection.
A person with shingles can pass the varicella-zoster virus to anyone who isn't immune to chickenpox. This usually occurs through direct contact with the open sores of the shingles rash. Once infected, the person will develop chickenpox, however, not shingles. Chickenpox can be dangerous for some people. Until your shingles blisters scab over, you are contagious and should avoid physical contact with anyone who hasn't yet had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine, especially people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns.
Anyone who has ever had chickenpox can develop shingles. Most adults in the United States had chickenpox when they were children, before the advent of the routine childhood vaccination that now protects against chickenpox. Studies suggest that Shingrix offers protection against shingles for more than five years. Shingrix is a nonliving vaccine made of a virus component. It is given in two doses, with months between doses. Shingrix is approved and recommended for people age 50 and older, including those who've previously received the Zostavax vaccine or had shingles.
The most common side effects of either shingles vaccine are redness, pain, tenderness, swelling and itching at the injection site, and headaches. The shingles vaccine doesn't guarantee that you won't get shingles. But this vaccine will likely reduce the course and severity of the disease and reduce your risk of postherpetic neuralgia.
The shingles vaccine is used only as a prevention strategy. It's not intended to treat people who currently have the disease. Talk to your doctor about which option is right for you. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Beth Longware Duff. Some are related to a decline in VZV-specific immunity, but there are other reasons as well, including: Age. The chances of developing herpes zoster and associated complications, including postherpetic neuralgia and vision loss , increase considerably after the age of The risk of shingles continues to increase with each passing decade.
For example, whereas about 1 in 3 Americans experience shingles during their lifetime, that ratio rises to 1 in 2 among people age 80 and older. Women are more likely to develop shingles than men, with pregnant and menopausal women being most vulnerable.
Shingles is more common in people of non-Hispanic white ancestry than in those of African American ancestry.
0コメント