Private Shingles Vaccination

Private Shingles Vaccination

Shingles is a painful condition characterized by a rash, caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. After having chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in your body and can reactivate later, particularly during times of stress or when your immune system is compromised. Unlike chickenpox, shingles can reappear, causing recurring episodes.

It is estimated that up to one in three people will develop shingles, with the risk increasing with age. The rash associated with shingles can take up to four weeks to heal, and in some cases, it can lead to a long-lasting condition called Post Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN), which causes pain that can persist for months or even years.

Shingles is not contagious to others; however, if someone who has never had chickenpox comes into contact with the shingles rash, they could develop chickenpox since both shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same virus.

If you’ve had shingles before, it may still be of benefit to get vaccinated as it can boost your immunity against further attacks of shingles