There are several ways to avoid getting shingles, but vaccination is the most effective method. An individual’s shingles prevention strategy will vary based on their age and if they’ve already had chickenpox in the past. Older adults who’ve had chickenpox when they were children should make sure to get a shingles vaccine that is approved for people aged 50 and above. Children, on the other hand, should get the chickenpox vaccine, which will keep the varicella virus from gaining entry into the body and, possibly, reactivating to cause shingles sometime later in life.
Avoidance
The varicella virus, which causes chickenpox, can lay dormant in people’s nervous systems for years (and sometimes even decades), only to reactivate later to cause shingles.
People who have not had chickenpox or a preventative vaccine should steer clear of anyone who has shingles. Keep in mind that exposure to an individual with shingles will not put one at risk for contracting shingles. However, it could cause one to develop chickenpox. This holds true for both children and adults. Babies, in particular, can develop a severe case of chickenpox if they are exposed to someone with shingles.
People who haven’t had a chickenpox infection already should steer clear of anyone who may be ill with chickenpox as well. While people who’ve never been infected by the varicella-zoster virus won’t catch shingles from someone with chickenpox, they have a high chance of developing chickenpox.
Vaccination
There are currently two approved vaccines for shingles. The first is Zostavax (zoster vaccine live), which received its license from the US FDA in 2006, and the second is Shingrix (zoster vaccine – recombinant, adjuvanted), which made its debut in 2017. Both vaccines also help protect against PHN, and they are covered by most health insurance plans, including Medicare.
Stress Relief
Recent studies have indicated that the varicella virus can sometimes reemerge as a result of stress. While there is really not a whole lot one can do to keep unexpected things from happening, there are plenty of ways to protect oneself from anxiety and stress. Not only does this help improve one’s overall health, but it can also lower one’s risk of developing chickenpox or shingles.
