Sandy asks…
Is the disease “Shingles” related to having had Chicken Pox as a child ?
Can one get “Shingles” without first having had Chicken Pox ?
admin answers:
YES to your first question, and
NO to your second question.
GOOD NEWS if you had chickenpox and worry about getting shingles
.
The first vaccine to prevent shingles, Merck’s Zostavax, has been approved in the USA for adults aged 60 or more. Shingles develops when the virus that causes chickenpox, varicella-zoster, is reactivated. After a childhood bout of chicken pox, the virus lays dormant for many years, ready to come into action when the carrier’s immune system weakens, either through age or illness.
Anyone who has ever had chickenpox is susceptible to developing shingles later on in life. 90% of humans get chickenpox. Of the approximately one million people in the USA who get shingles each year, nearly half are over 60.
There are 50 million Americans over the age of 60.
According to data so far, the vaccine offers protection for at least four years. Some wonder whether it may just postpone shingles, rather than prevent it completely. Merck has to conduct a long-term follow-up study.
Merck had applied for the vaccine to be approved for 50 year olds. However, the company had no data on the vaccine’s performance for people under 60. So, the FDA set the minimum age at 60.
Dr. J Goodman, FDA, said Zostavax is a booster vaccine. It boosts an older person’s immune system against the virus from re-emerging and causing shingles.
The single dose vaccine is on the market and cost about $ 160 – expensive but highly recommended for those at risk.
Carol asks…
can you tell me anything about the skin disease shingles?
i know it comes from having the chicken pox when youre a kid but is there an over the counter medicine?
admin answers:
They are a form of adult chicken pox that ususally runs its course in time. As with chicken pox once you have them you can not cure it.
They show up 30-40 years after the initial attack… And you may even get them a third time in another 30-40 years… But do not despair it means you’re having the blessing of a long life!!!
Robert asks…
How to get rid of shingles? (the disease)?
I’m pretty young. I’ve gotten shingles. I went to the doctors and got me
medicine but i just want to know some other techniques about keeping my shingles from being itchy!
admin answers:
Try a bath with baking soda in it. Baking soda is very soothing. These links may help.
Http://hubpages.com/hub/ShinglesContagious
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/shingles/shingles-symptoms
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/shingles/DS00098/DSECTION=symptoms
Laura asks…
what disease is called shingles?does it affect the brain?
i heard its only peculiar to white people.Is that true?
admin answers:
It’s called the varicella zosters virus, you probably had it (the virus not shingles) when you were younger, chicken pox. Anyone who had chicken pox can get shingles. The virus stays dormant in you body and when you get older it can arise if you are sick or stressed or for an unknown reason. My stepmom gets it every now and again. The rash usually breaks out on the trunk of your body. It’s painful and irritating but it doesn’t affect your brain. Potentially you can spread the virus to anyone who have’t had chicken pox and give it to them. (Mainly kids or someone who is immuno-supressed)
Mandy asks…
What parts of the world are most likely to come into contact with the disease ‘shingles’?
I need homework help!!!!
admin answers:
I was under the impression that Shingles is common in adults that have never had Chickenpox as children. So i guess anywhere where chickenpox occurs
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
