Shingles is a painful skin rash, often with blisters. It is called herpes zoster. A shingles rash usually appears on one side of the face or body can last from 2 two 4 week period it's main symptom is pain, which can be quite severe. Other symptoms of shingles can include fever, headache, chills and upset stomach. Very rarely, a shingles infection can lead to pneumonia, hearing problems, blindness, brain inflammation (encephalitis) or death. At least one million people a year in the United States get shingles.

For about 1 person in 5, severe pain can continue even after the rash has disappeared. This is called post herpetic neuralgia.

Shingles is caused by the Varicella Zoster virus; the same virus that causes chickenpox. Only someone who has had a case of chickenpox-or received the chickenpox vaccine-can get shingles. The virus stays in your body permanently. It can reappear many years later to cause a case of shingles.

You can't catch shingles from another person. However, a person who has never had chickenpox (or chickenpox vaccine) could get chickenpox from someone with shingles. This is not very common.

Shingles is far more common in people 50 and older and in younger people. It is also more common in people whose immune systems are weakened because of diseases such as cancer, or drugs such as steroids or chemotherapy.

A vaccine for shingles was licensed in 2006. In clinical trials, the vaccine prevented shingles in about half of people 60 years of age and older. The vaccine can reduce the pain associated with shingles. A single dose of shingles vaccine is indicated for adults 60 years of age and older.

A person should not get this shingles vaccine if:

1. He\she has ever had a life threatening allergic reaction to gelatin, the antibiotic neomycin, or any other component of the shingles vaccine.
2. Has a weakened immune system because of:
   • HIV\AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system
   • treatment with drugs that affects the immune system, such as steroids
   • cancer treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy
   • a history of cancer affecting the bone marrow or lymphatic system, such as leukemia or lymphoma
3. Has active, untreated tuberculosis
4. Is pregnant or might be pregnant. Women should not become pregnant until at least 3 months after getting the shingles vaccine.

Someone with a minor illness, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. But anyone who is moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting the vaccine. This includes anyone with a temperature of 101.3°F or higher. A vaccine, like any medicine, could possibly cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. However, the risk of a vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely rare. No serious problems have been identified was shingles vaccine.

Mild problems may occur such as redness, soreness, swelling, or itching at the site of the injection. Headache is also an uncommon problem that will subside spontaneously in just a few hours after receiving the vaccine.

Any unusual condition, such as high fever or behavior changes should be called to the attention of your physician. Signs of a serious allergic reaction can include difficulty breathing, hoarseness or wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heartbeat or dizziness. These usually occur within the first few hours after the vaccine.

For more information about the shingles vaccine I suggest you contact your physician.

Dr. Neil Baum is a urologist and can be located at 504.891.8454 or through his website, www.neilbaum.com