To escape pain & disability, read this…..

Today's post: Tuesday, 1-15-2008

Many of us had chicken pox as children. And, it’s possible many people got such mild cases of it they were unaware that’s what they were sick with.

First, here’s the really BAD news.:

What many people don’t realize is that this disease is a two-parter. Apparently your body doesn’t kill this virus, it just keeps it from growing enough you feel well. That’s OK as long as your immune system is on the job. The virus retreat to hide in certain nerves in your body. But you feel well & healthy.

HOWEVER, when you get enough older or when you get extra stressed as an older person, your immune system may suddenly not keep the virus in check. And, when that happens you get part 2 of the disease. This is called “Shingles.”

This usually causes a rash. But it does some MUCH nastier things too. Since it’s flared up from inside your nerves, experiencing really harsh pain is common. But it also often causes permanent nerve damage. This can cause permanent pain. And, it can harm your hearing or your sight.

This means getting shingles can be like being in a bad injury accident in your car. It can ruin your quality of life & disable you.

The much better good news is that this is now avoidable.

There is now a vaccine called Zostavax you can get that either prevents Shingles or makes it a dramatically milder case.

Based on what happened to my Mom & Dad & my fifty year old friend, make a strong effort to get this vaccine soon.

Here’s what WebMD posted when it first came out:

“WebMD Medical News

May 25, 2006 – The FDA has approved the first vaccine for adult shingles..
The agency cleared the vaccine -- known as Zostavax -- for use in adults age 60 and older: studies showed it can prevent shingles roughly half the time.
But experts say they're worried that partial insurance coverage of the vaccine may slow its acceptance by doctors and patients.
Shingles causes a rash with blisters that usually lasts for two to four weeks. The pain associated with the blisters can be quite intense. Once this initial phase is over, nerve pain called postherpetic neuralgia can set in. This pain lasts anywhere from 30 days to months or even years. It can be so severe in some people that it disrupts their lives.”

If you are over 60, get this vaccine ASAP.

I got mine recently & am quite relieved that I got it done.

Since this article was written, the insurance & HMO people have figured out, or at least they have at Kaiser where I go, that it will save a lot of money on treatments to pay for this vaccine.

And, based on my 50 year old friend’s experience, it might well be important for you to ask for it even if you are just over 45.

(Since the approval was for people over 60, you might not get a yes. But you might find a doctor who will give you the vaccine. This might well mean you have to pay for a doctor visit & the shot yourself. But if you have the money, it might be well worth it.)