Dr. Karin CoviQ: I keep seeing ads about shingles and the shingles vaccination. I’m now officially a senior citizen. Should I be concerned about getting shingles?
A: Shingles is a skin rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, so if you had chicken-pox, you are at risk for shingles because the virus remains in your body in an inactive state. Shingles occur when the virus reactivates and it can be a painful and difficult illness.
It usually starts with a fever, headache and/or nausea, but the most recognizable symptom is painful itching or tingling on your skin on your torso. After a couple of days, a rash with painful, fluid-filled blisters develop. The blisters are usually intensely itchy. If a diagnosis is made at an early stage, treatment with anti-viral medications can lessen the course of the virus.
The shingles vaccine is recommended for those over 60 who have had chickenpox. Older adults are at a higher risk for shingles because the immune system weakens with age making it more difficult to fight off the virus. Those with immune disorders or who take medications that weaken the immune system should consider a shingles vaccine as well.
– Dr. Karin Covi, Susong Dermatology; member, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society
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