A vaccine against herpes zoster

What is shingles?

Shingles is a viral infection caused by the same virus, that causes chickenpox in children. After a child has recovered from chickenpox, virus It stored in the body in a latent state. The development of the virus can be stimulated later in life, usually, aged 60 and older. It manifests itself as a virus herpes zoster.

Причины появления опоясывающего лишая неизвестны. Suspected causes include stress or a weakened immune system. Usually, depriving symptoms appear only once. Occasionally it may be two or more times.

Virus, causing shingles, It can be transmitted to humans, who have not had chickenpox. These people get chickenpox, instead of shingles.

The most common symptoms of shingles include:

• Painful itching, which turns into a rash;
• The rash is red, painful blisters;
• The rash often occurs only on one side of the body;
• Bubbles, then bursting;
• Fever, headache, chills;
• Abdominal discomfort;

Опоясывающий лишай и его симптомы обычно проходят с течением времени. To reduce pain and dskomfort used painkillers. To speed up the recovery of used antiviral drugs, as acyclovir.

Possible complications include blindness, deafness, facial paralysis, loss of taste or infection.

What is a vaccine against herpes zoster?

The vaccine contains live, weakened form of varicella-zoster virus. It is inserted under the skin in the form of injections.

Who and when to be vaccinated against shingles?

Vaccination is recommended for adults aged 60 and older. Usually administered one dose of vaccine.

Risks, associated with the vaccine against herpes zoster?

• General, minor side effects: fever, local pain;
• Less common, mild side effects: erythema, swelling or itching at the injection site, headache;
• Severe allergic complications: anaphylactic shock (rarely).

Who should not be vaccinated against shingles?

They should not be vaccinated in the following cases:

• Weakened ymmunaya system (typically medication, primarily for the treatment of cancer)
• Disease HIV or AIDS;
• Tuberculosis;
• Have an allergy to gelatin or neomycin;
• Pregnancy or possible pregnancy.

What are the ways to prevent shingles in addition to vaccination?

If you have never had chickenpox, you can not get sick shingles. Nonetheless, You can become seriously ill with chickenpox. If you had chickenpox, ie the risk of shingles, because the virus remains in the body. Vaccination can reduce the risk of disease.

What happens in the event of an outbreak of herpes zoster?

Shingles can be passed to others. It causes chickenpox in people, that it does not hurt or not be vaccinated. These persons should be introduced varicella vaccine.