Chicken Pox and Shingles

[Cow Poke]

I've been seeing a commercial that stresses that, if you had Chicken Pox, the Shingles Virus is already in you.

The commercial is sponsored, of course, by one of the leading drug manufacturers, and they no doubt have an agenda.

I have SEEN people hospitalized with shingles -- it's horrible -- not just itching, but burning like you're on fire.

What do we really know about this, and is there a way to prevent shingles?

[Catholicity]

no unfortunately there isn't the same virus (varicella zoster) is the trigger for shingles (varicella zoster) some people get it some people don't. It depends on the pathology of the human body. Not everyone gets shingles, but the best prevention, if you have had chicken pox, is a healthy immune system, don't smoke, don't do drugs excercise eat right blah blah blah, if you have not had chicken pox get the vaccine.....

[robrecht]

It's Merck's vaccine. Ironically, the effect of the varicella vaccine's use in children will cause a significant increase in adult cases over the next 50 years or so since adult parents and teachers will no longer have significant enough exposure to develop sufficient immunity. I have worked with one of the leading experts on this issue a few years back.

[Cow Poke]

It's Merck's vaccine.

Yes, I had forgotten which one. (the power of advertising! )

Ironically, the effect of the vaccine's use in children will cause a significant increase in adult cases over the next 50 years or so since adult parents and teachers will no longer have significant enough exposure to develop sufficient immunity. I have worked with one of the leading experts on this issues a few years back.

Is it a vaccine for Chicken Pox, or Shingles, or both?

[robrecht]

For those (mostly children) who've never had chicken pox, there is the varicella vaccine. That's the one that is expected to result in a future epidemic of Shingles among currently young adults as they get older. The Merck Zostavax vaccine is for those who have been exposed to chicken pox and it should help reduce the risk of getting Shingles in people over 50.

[Raphael]

Heh, one of the last times I donated blood in South Africa one of the questions was "have you had shingles recently?" The reason for the question was they want the anti-bodies from shingles to use with kids with chicken pox who are needing blood.

[Cow Poke]

Heh, one of the last times I donated blood in South Africa one of the questions was "have you had shingles recently?" The reason for the question was they want the anti-bodies from shingles to use with kids with chicken pox who are needing blood.

Interesting.