Flu vaccine – why they are so important in older age
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Shingles is more common in older adults
Shingles (also known as Herpes Zoster) is a painful skin rash which occurs when the virus that previously caused chicken pox (varicella zoster virus) is reactivated.
Anyone who has previously been infected with chicken pox can get shingles.
The risk of getting shingles rises with age because the immune system naturally weakens over time. It is 8-10 times more likely to affect people aged 60 years or more and about 70% of cases occur after the age of 70.
Symptoms
The main symptoms are a rash and pain – you can read more about shingles in this NHS information.
Treatment
If you think you might have shingles then you should speak to a healthcare professional as soon as possible. There are some medicines and creams that can help to treat shingles but they should be started as soon as possible.
Preventing shingles
The shingles vaccine can almost half the risk of getting shingles as well as reducing the risk and severity of complications.
NHS patients between the ages of 70 and 79 years are eligible for the shingles vaccine. The vaccine is not routinely available for those over 80 years because it seems to be less effective in this age group.
Is shingles infectious?
No but……
Shingles can only develop from the chicken pox virus which is already in your body so you can’t catch shingles or pass it onto anyone else.
However, it is possible for someone who has not had chicken pox to catch it from someone with shingles. For this reason, people with shingles should stay away from people who have not had chicken pox.
Pregnant women who have not had chicken pox and come into contact with someone with shingles should get medical advice immediately.
