If you’re in the 60+ years, a vaccine may help protect you from Shingles.
submitted by Sarah Curtiss
Travel Medicine & Vaccination Centre
Shingles is a disease caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. If you have ever had chickenpox, this virus is quietly hiding out in the roots of your nerves and can re-activate causing a painful, sometimes excruciating, skin rash. This is known as Shingles “Herpes-Zoster”
Who is at risk?
Approximately 95% of Canadians have had Chickenpox and are therefore at risk of Shingles. Nearly one in three people will develop Shingles in their lifetime and the risk increases as we get older. Two thirds of people who get Shingles are over the age of 60. Many others will have the virus resurface due to low immune systems. This can occur due to illness, use of drugs that suppress the body’s immune system, HIV, Cancer or radiation treatments.
What are the symptoms and complications of Shingles?
When the virus becomes active again, you may get symptoms such as a rash, upset stomach, headache, fever and chills. The pain that is associated with the rash has been described as burning, throbbing, stabbing or shooting pains. The rash produces painful, fluid filled blisters usually on one side of the body or face. The rash can last several weeks and the pain will lessen as the rash heals. For some patients however Shingles can cause severe pain for months and even years after the rash has healed. This is called “Postherpetic neuralgia” (PHN). For people with PHN even a breeze or the touch of clothing can cause severe pain. Other complications of Shingles can include scarring, skin infections, a decrease or loss of hearing, eye infections that may result in blindness and muscle paralysis. In rare cases shingles can even result in death.
How can it be treated?
If you develop any symptoms your doctor can verify the disease and administer an Antiviral drug that will work best if started within three days of developing the rash.
Can it be prevented?
Until recently there was no prevention for Shingles, now there is a vaccine that has been developed called “Zostavax”. This is the first and only vaccine indicated to help prevent Shingles in individuals sixty years or older. The vaccine is a live weakened virus vaccine. Possible side effects from this vaccine include redness, pain, swelling, itching and warmth at injection site, headaches and possible fever. At this time, with limited information, the vaccine will protect against Shingles for 4 years.
Where can I get the vaccine?
Your doctor can prescribe the vaccine for you. Due to the storage specifications the vaccine is not stocked by many pharmacies. Visit or contact your local pharmacist or a Travel Medicine and Vaccination Clinic for more information.
Remember … it’s important to always talk to your doctor to see if a vaccine is right for you.