Some facts about shingles
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325759)
Rockingham, Australia
November 19, 2017 7:04pm CST
Recently I came across an article about shingles in a magazine called 50Something, aimed at older Australians. As it was mentioned in a post or comment recently, I thought I’d share the information I gleaned from the article.
Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus which is also responsible for chickenpox. While the condition itself can be uncomfortable at best and severely debilitating at worst, it may also result in some nasty complications such as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) which manifests as severe and chronic nerve pain. One in four sufferers will develop PHN. Other complications include secondary bacterial skin infection and an increase in the risk of stroke in the six months following the shingles attack.
In Australia, the life-time risk of shingles is 20-30%. From the age of 70, we can be vaccinated against the disease for free because of the risks of developing complications increases from 70 onwards. From 80 onwards the vaccination is not so effective. While shingles could still occur, the symptoms are usually milder with less likelihood of developing PNH.
My mother had shingles in her eyebrow and hairline while a friend was hospitalised for over a week with severe itching and pain from the rash on her back and side. This was enough to send Vince and I to the doctor to receive our free vaccination against the disease.
Shingles is not contagious; however the varicella zoster virus can be passed on to someone who has never had chickenpox.
There are an estimated 120,000 cases each year in Australia. Is vaccination available in your country and have you or would you consider it?
24 people like this
24 responses
@121266lulu (350)
• China
20 Nov 17
Vaccination is available in China. I have vaccinated when I were a littile girl.
4 people like this
@1creekgirl (40515)
• United States
20 Nov 17
You were vaccinated for chicken pox. The Shingles vaccine is for adults who had chicken pox as children.
3 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
20 Nov 17
My father had it, it was so difficult to see him in pain at the time. Shingles vaccine is available here too and yes I would definitely consider taking it. One doctor here once said "There is pain, and there's shingles pain."
4 people like this
@1creekgirl (40515)
• United States
20 Nov 17
I had the vaccine about 8 or 10 years ago then got a very mild case on my forehead five years ago. Shingles is only contagious to anyone who has not had chicken pox.
3 people like this
@1creekgirl (40515)
• United States
20 Nov 17
Yes, you can get Shingles even if yoi had chickenpox.
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
20 Nov 17
Will never get one @JudyEv . And this is why.
Find out why the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine for children may very well be causing a shingles epidemic which is heading straight at the U.S.
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137145)
• United States
21 Nov 17
That is a very interesting article, Nanette!
Now, I am left wondering if I would have developed shingles (and it's complications) if our children weren't vaccinated for chickenpox?
That article seems to be saying there would have been less likelihood for developing shingles and the subsequent nerve damage if Big Pharma hadn't swooped in looking to line their already over-filled pockets!
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
21 Nov 17
@DaddyEvil Exactly. We were all born with certain defense mechanisms. Just like when people constantly use anti-bacterial soaps; you're killing the good along with the bad. The whole idea of having Mumps, Chicken Pox, Measles and other ailments is to allow the body's natural immunity to become stronger. With all of the constant 'new' shots, it's weakening and confusing the immune system.
2 people like this
@shaggin (71666)
• United States
24 Nov 17
I believe here if you are 60 or older you can get the vaccine possibly earlier if there is reason to need it. My mother is under 60 and has has shingles twice over the past few years in an area you do not ever want them.
My late husband got them when he was about 21 on his side. I believe I was pregnant at the time. He had scars where the shingles were. I remember he was extremely pale at the time and the spots were very painful.
2 people like this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
21 Nov 17
There doesn't seem to be much shingles here as in my whole life I only remember one person that I know that had it. I have no idea if there is any treatment or preventive measures.
2 people like this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
21 Nov 17
@JudyEv Hopefully, we never have that problem. Not all places are hit by the same plagues.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Nov 17
@1hopefulman I wonder if it is called something else in Canada?
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137145)
• United States
21 Nov 17
Oops! I am sorry, Judy, but while your information is technically correct, it is somewhat misleading.
A person who has shingles cannot pass shingles to another person, but s/he can pass the Varicella Zoster Virus to someone who has never had Chickenpox. That person will develop Chickenpox from the transmitted virus! (Chickenpox is contagious from two days before the rash develops until scabs form on their pox rash. A person with shingles can only pass the virus on while they still have blisters until the blisters scab over.)
I have had shingles three times in the last ten years. (The cancer has caused my immune system to be weaker than it should be so when I become severely stressed, I am more likely to have a shingle's outbreak.)
Here, adults over the age of 60 are the only ones allowed to get the shingles vaccination, unless shingles are determined to be life threatening to you. I just turned 54 years old. (My doctor does not consider shingles to be a threat to my life.)
After the last outbreak of shingles, I no longer feel anything on the skin on the right side of my stomach, my right side and on the right side of my back. The nerves in these areas have been paralyzed, according to my doctor.
I will be getting the vaccination as soon as I turn 60! While I don't mind missing work and getting paid for it, the pain from the shingles is more than I am willing to have, if given a choice!
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137145)
• United States
21 Nov 17
@JudyEv I don't know. My doctor seems to think it will, but I kinda doubt it.
The vaccination introduces weakened viruses into a person's system to induce the body to produce anti-bodies for that virus. I already have the shingles virus. I would think I already produce anti-bodies for it, too. (But I am not a medical professional, either. I might be mistaken.)
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Nov 17
@DaddyEvil That would be my thinking too.
2 people like this
@antonbunot (11091)
• Calgary, Alberta
21 Nov 17
I saw one suffering from shingles on his back. According to him it is so itchy.
2 people like this
@DesirousDreamer (34783)
• Peoria, Arizona
20 Nov 17
My mom had shingles before, she was able to get through it. I never had chickenpox, so kind of terrified of having it later on in life since it is worse when one is an adult, but most people that I have known never had chickenpox. so we will probably never have shingles, but if we do get chickenpox...we are all screwed haha and it will probably be even worse when we get shingles
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Nov 17
Chickenpox in adults is apparently quite nasty too. You'll just have to keep your fingers crossed. 
@DesirousDreamer (34783)
• Peoria, Arizona
20 Nov 17
@JudyEv It can be deadly actually. But I am on guard!
1 person likes this
@peachpurple (13884)
• Malaysia
20 Nov 17
Malaysia doesn't have this problem except for hpv injection for the single ladies, womb cancer prevention, not free
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (79722)
• United States
20 Nov 17
My doctor recently recommended I get the shingles vaccine and while I've been hesitant your post is making me lean more toward getting the vaccine.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
20 Nov 17
I think it is, I will have to check on that. Thanks for the info.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
20 Nov 17
I've had chicken pox when I was a kid. I probably should start looking into this.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Nov 17
@teamfreak16 It might be worth finding out more about it.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
20 Nov 17
@JudyEv - I might be able to get one from the Veterans Administration.
1 person likes this
