Prevention
by Betty Mitchell RN BSN, Parish Nurse, Emmanuel Bethel Church, Royal Oak, MI
Today, children 12 months old or older receive the chickenpox vaccine to help decrease the annual number of chickenpox cases.
The virus that causes chickenpox hides quietly in the body, typically near nerve endings. However, once someone has had chickenpox, sometimes years later, the virus may become active, and it increases your risk of getting shingles. Children may get shingles, but the risk increases after age 40.
At the onset of shingles, one may experience pain and tingling days before the shingles rash actually appears in the area where a rash will develop. Generally, the rash is on one side of the body or face. The rash can be very painful and uncomfortable. Fever, chills and headaches are not uncommon.
During the time the rash is present, someone who has not had chickenpox may get the disease from you. Infants are particularly at risk for getting chickenpox if exposed to someone with shingles. Until the blisters in the rash are dry and crusted, you are considered contagious unless the areas are covered. Good hand washing often will help decrease the spread of the virus.
It is important to contact your doctor as soon as the symptoms begin. The sooner an antiviral medication is started the less severe the symptoms will be. Other pain medications can be ordered to help control any discomfort.
After the rash goes away, it is not uncommon for someone to have lingering pain. It can be very uncomfortable, to the point of interfering with eating, dressing, and other daily activities.
It is possible that someone may develop shingles more than once. The best way to avoid developing shingles as an adult is to get the shingles vaccine when you are eligible, generally over the age of 50. It is not only children who need immunizations, but adults do, as well. Check with your local health department or your primary care doctor for the vaccine.
Stay healthy and plan a time to get the shingles vaccine to protect yourself and the young children in your life.
“Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk,
those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear,
the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”
Matthew 11:4-5
