Shingles is a common disorder. It’s caused by the reactivation of the
chicken pox virus, varicella zoster virus, which remains dormant in one’s
nerves after infection with chicken pox. Anyone who has had chicken pox is at
risk. Shingles is an unpleasant
illness. It causes prodromal nerve
irritation, followed by the appearance of a blistering rash that follows the
distribution of a nerve root. The rash can be painful and itchy, and can be the
source of subsequent bacterial infection.
In some cases, cranial nerves, including nerves that supply the eye and
ear, may be affected and this may lead to loss of vision or hearing.
The most
unpleasant complication of shingles is the occurrence of “post-herpetic
neuralgia,” defined as pain in the distribution of the shingles rash (or
affected nerve root), which persists for more than three months after the shingles
goes away--this may occur in 10 to 20% of cases. Early treatment with antiviral therapy may
reduce the risk of post-herpetic neuralgia.
One’s risk of developing shingles, and post-herpetic
neuralgia as a complication, increases with age. Immune deficiency, such as infection with HIV/AIDS
or treatment with cancer chemotherapeutic drugs, also increases one’s
susceptibility to shingles. It is uncertain
how the use of the chicken pox vaccine, now standard in children, will affect
their adult risk of shingles compared with those who are unvaccinated.
A vaccine for shingles, Zostavax®, was FDA approved in 2006. In 2008 the CDC
recommended that persons over the age of 60 receive the vaccine. This recommendation is based on the relatively
higher prevalence of shingles and its related complication in this age bracket.
However, the shingles vaccine is also effective in healthy adults ages
50-59. At this time the CDC has not
recommended routine vaccination of this age group, which is likely related to
lower disease incidence (about 4.6% annually in 50 year olds, compared with
7% annually in 60 years olds ,and 9 to 11% in 70 and 80 year olds). Here are some common questions that patients ask me about the shingles vaccine:
1.
If I have already had shingles should I get a
vaccine?
The shingles vaccine has not been tested in
those who have already had shingles once. It is speculated that having the
condition increases one’s immunity and helps prevent future recurrences. However,
there is some research
indicating that those who have already
been afflicted may continue to be at significant risk for recurrence. Therefore,
it may be reasonable for this population to be vaccinated.
2.
What are the most common side effects related to
the shingles vaccine?
According to the CDC,
redness, pain, itching, and swelling at the site of the vaccine may occur in 1
out of 3 who receives the vaccine. Headache may occur in 1 out of 70. More serious allergic reactions to the
vaccine components including fever, difficulty breathing and throat swelling,
are infrequent.
3.
Will it be safe for me to be around babies,
pregnant women, and those with immune compromise after I have had the shingles
vaccine?
Yes, although it is a live attenuated virus
vaccine, there have been no described cases of the chicken pox virus being
transmitted in this manner from a person inoculated with Zostavax ®to a person who
is not immune.
4.
In what population is the shingles vaccine
contraindicated?
Although shingles is more common in those with
immune compromise, the shingles vaccine is contraindicated in this population,
which includes patients with HIV/AIDS, patients on cancer chemotherapy,
patients on drugs that affect their immune system (such as oral steroids), and
pregnant women. There are case reports describing disseminated shingles resulting
from the vaccine in patients with established immune deficiency.
5.
I’m not sure if I had chicken pox, Should I have
a shingles vaccine?
Persons who are unsure of whether or not they
have had chicken pox should have blood work done to determine their immunity.
If there is no evidence of previous exposure then a chicken pox vaccine
(Varicella) should be administered in those who are eligible, not a Zostavax®.
6.
After 60, how often does one need a shingles
vaccine?
Currently a single vaccine at or after age 60 is
recommended. The shingles vaccine is also
FDA approved for patients ages 50-59 years.
However, given the lower disease prevalence and risk in this population
the cost and health-benefit is not as well established and at this time the CDC
does not specifically recommend it. It
remains uncertain how long the immunity conferred by a single shingles vaccine
will last.
7.
What is the cost of a shingles vaccine?
A shingles vaccine costs approximately
$200. Many health insurance plans, including Medicare Part D and private
insurers, cover the immunization after (but not before) age 60.
For more information visit http://www.cdc.gov/shingles/index.html
or http://nihseniorhealth.gov/shingles/aboutshingles/01.html
.
