If you had chickenpox as a child, you may want to consider getting the shingles vaccine, especially if you are older than 65 or if you have a severely weakened immune system. If you live in South East London, you can book your shingles vaccination in Bromley at your nearest Day Lewis Pharmacy.
But before you do, here is everything you need to know about shingles and the shingles vaccine:
What is shingles?
Shingles is a painful illness caused by the Herpes Varicella-Zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. Chickenpox is a common illness that many people contract as children. Once the infection has gone, the virus remains dormant in the body’s nerve roots. It can then reactivate later in life as shingles. Shingles typically presents with a distinctive rash characterised by clusters of intensely painful and pruritic, fluid-filled vesicles or blisters.
It’s essential to note that not everyone who has had chickenpox will go on to develop shingles; in fact, only about 1 in 5 people in the UK experience this condition. Nevertheless, this still means that thousands of people develop shingles over time.
What causes virus reactivation?
Reactivation is more common as people age, especially after 50. This is primarily because the immune system weakens as we grow older. Other factors that can cause the virus to reactivate are:
- High physical or emotional stress, as this compromises the immune system.
- Medical treatment, like chemotherapy or radiation.
- Drugs that suppress the immune system, like steroids or TNF inhibitors.
- Diseases like HIV/Aids or cancer that weaken immunity.
- Trauma caused by severe exhaustion or physical injury.
What are the symptoms?
Early signs of shingles may include pain, burning, or tingling sensations in a particular area on one side of the body. Additional symptoms can involve touch sensitivity, headaches, fever, chills, fatigue, and an overall sense of malaise. A red rash subsequently develops at the affected area, characterised by clusters of fluid-filled blisters. Typically, the rash is unilateral, presenting as a band or stripe on the body or appearing on the face, frequently in proximity to the eye – if it’s near the eye, you should seek medical attention immediately. The blisters will then usually break open, drain, and within 7-10 days form a crust. This crust should clear within 2-4 weeks.
If you suspect that you may have shingles, seek medical attention, especially if you experience severe pain, a widespread rash, or have blisters near the eye. With the help of early treatment, you will be able to manage the pain better and may prevent long-term nerve pain, known as post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). Up to 1,400 people in the UK are hospitalised due to PHN.
Is shingles contagious?
While shingles itself is not contagious, the fluid in the shingles blisters does contain the Herpes Varicella-Zoster virus. If someone who’s never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine comes into contact with the fluid, they can get chickenpox, not shingles. It is therefore advised that until the blisters crust over, you cover the rash and avoid contact with vulnerable people.
What is the shingles vaccine?
The primary shingles vaccine is called Shingrix. It is given in two doses, with each dose spaced two months apart. Shingrix is known to be a highly effective immunisation that boosts the immune system against the virus to reduce the risk of infection and the severity of PHN. Studies indicate that it decreases the risk of developing shingles by over 50%. In cases where people do develop shingles after vaccination, they experience a much milder form, and it lasts a shorter period of time.
Who should get the vaccine?
If you had chickenpox as a child and fall into one of these two high-risk categories, you should consider the shingles vaccine:
- Healthy adults between the ages of 65-80 years.
- Immunocompromised adults 18 years or older.
Is it necessary to get the vaccine when you travel?
While there are vaccines you should get while travelling, like malaria or polio vaccines, the shingles vaccine is not always considered to be required for travel. You should, however, think about getting it if you’re older than 65 or have an impaired immune system.
Contact the Travel Clinic Bromley
Are you googling to find a “travel vaccine clinic near me” to get your shingles vaccine? If so, then look no further. Simply contact the Travel Clinic Bromley to get your shingles vaccine in South East London. Our team can provide you with the necessary information regarding shingles, the Shingrix vaccine, and other available vaccines to keep you up and running.
