Shingles, which is a flare-up of the chickenpox-causing varicella virus, causes symptoms of extreme pain in a localized area of the body and a rash that can last for two to four weeks or longer.
Avoidance
The varicella virus that causes chickenpox can “hide” in the nervous system for years, even decades, and later reactivate, causing shingles. The most common cause of shingles is that a child contracts the virus at a young age and develops shingles as an adult.
If you have not had chickenpox or its vaccine, you should steer clear of anyone who has active shingles. It’s important to understand that exposure to shingles does not put you at risk of getting shingles, which cannot be spread through contact with the rash—but exposure to someone who has shingles can put you at risk of coming down with chickenpox. This is true for adults and children. Babies, especially, can develop a severe chickenpox infection if they are exposed to someone who has shingles. If you haven’t already had a chickenpox infection or a chickenpox virus, steer clear of anyone who you know to be ill with chickenpox—even if it’s your favorite niece or nephew. You won’t get shingles from someone who has chickenpox, but you may get chickenpox if you have not developed immunity to it through infection or a vaccine.
Chickenpox infection is usually relatively mild in children, typically involving a week of mild fever, general fatigue, and an itchy rash. But these symptoms can be more severe if you’re not infected until you’re an adult. Complications of chickenpox infection can include hearing loss and meningitis—these are more common among older adults and young babies than they are for school-aged children.
The virus that causes chickenpox moves in for good once it infects the body, so by allowing it in, you put yourself at risk of shingles at some point in your life. So exposing children to chickenpox so they can “get it over with” rather than having them vaccinated will lead to a risk of shingles later in life. The chickenpox vaccine is perfectly safe.
Vaccination
There are two vaccines for shingles. One, called Zostavax (zoster vaccine live), was licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2006. The other shingles vaccine, Shingrix (zoster vaccine—recombinant, adjuvanted) debuted in 2017. Both vaccines also protect against PHN and typically are covered by health insurance or Medicare.
Here’s how the two vaccines compare:
Type of vaccine: Zostavax is a live attenuated virus. This means that it contains a weakened version of live varicella, which stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies against the virus. Shingrix is a non-live vaccine known that is made from a part of the virus. This makes it safer for people with immune-system problems who could become sick from a live vaccine. The number of doses: Zostavax is a one-shot vaccine. Shingrix is given in two doses, two to six months apart. Effectiveness: The CDC says that Zostavax reduces the risk of shingles by 51% and lowers the risk of PHN by 67%. Two doses of Shingrix provide more than 90% effectiveness at preventing shingles and PHN. For at least four years after receiving Shingrix, protection against both conditions stays above 85%. Recommended age for vaccination: Zostavax is recommended by the CDC for people 60 and older, but the agency does not have a recommendation for people between 50 and 59. This is because the vaccine provides protection for only about five years, so getting it before age 60 can put you at risk of losing protection by the time you reach the age when the risk of shingles is highest. Shingrix is approved for people who are age 50 and older. Side effects: Both shingles vaccines are safe, though they have side effects—redness, soreness, swelling, or itching of the skin where the shot was given, in particular. Some people may also experience muscle pain, headache, fatigue, shivering, low-grade fever, or an upset stomach after receiving either vaccine. Both carry a very low risk of triggering a severe allergic reaction that requires urgent medical attention—symptoms include hives, swelling of the throat, difficulty breathing, a racing heart, dizziness, and weakness.
Stress Relief
There’s evidence the varicella virus sometimes re-emerges due to stress. While there’s little you can do to prevent the unexpected negative turns that life can throw at you, such as job loss or a loved one’s severe illness, there are plenty of strategies for protecting yourself from general stress and anxiety.
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There are lots of proven ways to reduce stress, which means there are plenty of options to try until you find the strategies that offer the most calming benefits to you. Yoga, meditation, a hobby, or another activity that you find relaxing are just a few of the possibilities.
Tai Chi may be especially helpful. There’s preliminary evidence that this gentle form of exercise, which began as a martial art in China, may improve immune function and health in older adults who are at risk for shingles.
Lifestyle habits can help you stay strong and healthy, both physically and mentally.
These include:
Sticking to a nutrient-rich dietGetting plenty of physical movement throughout your dayGetting adequate sleep. If you smoke, kicking the habitAvoiding excessive alcohol
