PSA: Shingles Shot ? GET ONE ! (Can get one from age 50 up)

[cbelt3]

A coworker has developed Shingles. He's a year older than I am (mid 50's). He's been caring for his elderly mother who was fighting Shingles.

I'm getting my shot as soon as I feel better after pneumonia. There's no damn way I want to go through what he's going through... it's like Super Chicken Pox plus nerve damage. Poor guy looks like he's had a stroke.

[DP]

It can be nasty, to say the least. My SIL had it pretty bad (she's in her mid 60's) and was so sick my brother got the shot just in case.

[vision63]

My mother has been dealing with Shingles as well. It's been an ordeal. I've seen the commercials for a Shingles medications, however they're never clear about what it is. Is it something you get to prevent it or is is something you get after you get it. Now I see it's preventative. I'm interested in getting it too.

I bet it ain't $10 at Walgreens.

[SteveG]

More like $125 with insurance.

[cbelt3]

Zostavax.

Marketing website here:

http://www.zostavax.com/

CDC information here:
http://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/

Note it is recommended when one turns 60. But 'permissible' at age 50 and up. I'm going for an early treatment.

[steve...]

You previously had to have chicken pox in order to get it, correct?

[NewtonMP2100]

steve... wrote:
You previously had to have chicken pox in order to get it, correct?

correct, the virus stays dormant and can 'reactivate'......you can only get shingles if you've had the chicken pox.....

[cbelt3]

"Shingles cannot be passed from one person to another. However, the virus that causes shingles, the varicella zoster virus, can be spread from a person with active shingles to a person who has never had chickenpox. In such cases, the person exposed to the virus might develop chickenpox, but they would not develop shingles. The virus is spread through direct contact with fluid from the rash blisters, not through sneezing, coughing or casual contact.

"

CDC web site.

FWIW... my collegue developed Shingles after caring for his mother for three weeks. WITHOUT wearing gloves (rookie move). Personally I think being exposed to a super population of the virus while having it in your body may have caused his outbreak.

[rz]

Never had chicken pox, although I did get a vaccine for it when my son was born. He hasn't had it either.

[Lizabeth]

Just found out my health insurance wasn't covering a flu shot given by a pharmacy

That's only $35 out of my pocket but their Shingles shot is $220 w/o insurance. I'm on hold with my health insurance now to get some answers about covering the shots.

Grandmother had shingles, definitely don't want to go through that either!