| masraum |
03-21-2023 04:06 AM |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Hail
(Post 11951859)
Had it about 12 years ago. It broke out in a two inch circular rash. I had a Dr. Appt the next morning anyhow. Gave me Acyclovir and was dried up in two additional days. Itched a little but by that time was gone. Occurs on the side of the body it went dormant in the nerve most likely when you had Chicken Pox.
Never understood why folks get Shingles vaccines? Varicella Zoster has no cure, is self limiting and does not leave the body. No cure for Chicken Pox why would anyone believe a vaccine is a cure for Shingles. I know so many people that have taken the double boost Shingles vaccine and still got it. Seems the anti-viral may be a better option if you get it.
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https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/shingles/symptoms-causes/syc-20353054
(the quote below isn't the entire text of the link above, only an excerpt)
Quote:
Shingles isn't life-threatening. But it can be very painful. Vaccines can help lower the risk of shingles. Early treatment may shorten a shingles infection and lessen the chance of complications. The most common complication is postherpetic neuralgia. This is a painful condition that causes shingles pain for a long time after your blisters have cleared.
Pain is usually the first symptom of shingles. For some people, the pain can be intense. Depending on the location of the pain, it can sometimes be mistaken for problems with the heart, lungs or kidneys. Some people experience shingles pain without ever developing the rash.
When to see a doctor
Contact your health care provider as soon as possible if you suspect shingles, especially in the following situations:
The pain and rash occur near an eye. If left untreated, this infection may lead to permanent eye damage.
You're 50 or older. Age increases your risk of complications.
You or someone in your family has a weakened immune system. This may be due to cancer, medications or chronic illness.
The rash is widespread and painful.
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https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/shingles
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For some people, the symptoms of shingles are mild. They might just have some itching. For others, shingles can cause intense pain that can be felt from the gentlest touch or breeze.
After the shingles rash goes away, some people may be left with ongoing pain called postherpetic neuralgia, or PHN. The pain is felt in the area where the rash occurred. The older you are when you get shingles, the greater your chances of developing PHN.
The PHN pain can cause depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, and weight loss. Some people with PHN find it hard to go about their daily activities, such as dressing, cooking, and eating. Talk with your doctor if you are experiencing PHN or have any of these symptoms. Usually, PHN will lessen over time.
The current shingles vaccine (brand name Shingrix) is a safe, easy, and more effective way to prevent shingles than the previous vaccine. In fact, it is over 90% effective at preventing shingles. Most adults age 50 and older should get vaccinated with the shingles vaccine, which is given in two doses. You can get the shingles vaccine at your doctor’s office and at some pharmacies.
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https://www.healthline.com/health/senior-health/shingles-elderly
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For younger people, a bout of shingles often resolves within a few weeks with a low risk of ongoing problems. That’s not true for many older adults, who can face life threatening complications, even after the rash itself has cleared.
Some of the more serious complications that affect older people include:
Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN)
Perhaps the most severe shingles complication, post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is much more likely to affect older people who develop shingles. It’s a major contributor to disability later in life, according to a study from 2009.
PHN is long-term nerve pain in the area where the rash first appeared. The CDC estimates that between 10 and 18 percent of people with shingles go on to have PHN.
Vision loss
If shingles develops near an eye, early treatment is vital. Shingles in the eye is called ophthalmic herpes zoster, and it can cause scarring and vision loss. About 10 to 20 percent of all shingles cases involve one or both eyes.
Stroke
A 2014 study found that older adults with shingles face an increased risk for stroke for at least 6 months after their diagnosis and a more than threefold risk of stroke if they develop ophthalmic herpes zoster.
The risk for stroke was lower among individuals who were treated with antiviral medications compared to those who received no treatment.
Dementia
The same kind of vascular damage that can disrupt blood flow to the brain and cause a stroke can also affect brain function in a different way. Shingles raises the chance of inflammation of the arteries supplying blood to the brain, which in turn increases the odds of dementia.
A 2017 study found that, after accounting for heart disease and other medical conditions or factors that could affect dementia risk, older adults with shingles of the eye has a nearly threefold greater risk for dementia compared to their peers without shingles.
Death
It’s rare for shingles to directly lead to death. The CDC reports that shingles can be considered the direct underlying cause of death in less than one person per 1 million people in the general population.
While shingles itself isn’t usually a deadly disease, it can lead to conditions such as pneumonia and encephalitis, which can be fatal. This is particularly true for older people whose immune systems have been compromised by treatments for illnesses such as AIDS and cancer.
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The chances of having the major complications may be low, and the vaccine may not be a cure, but if it's 90% effective...
And it's probably not quite as dangerous for the average person in good health in their 50s, but when you get into your 60s, 70s, or even 80s, and your body is weakening and slowing down (including your immune system) a lot, my guess is that the chances for more serious issues start really ramping up.
I'm game for a vaccine that reduces my chance of shingles.
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