Should You Get A Shingles Vaccination?

If you had chicken pox early in life, your chances of developing shingles later in life are probably higher than you think. If you are over age 60, doctors suggest you get a shingles vaccination.

The vaccine was approved in 2006, but health officials weren't sure who, if anyone, should get it. Now, after a series of studies, physicians are coming to the conclusion that it's a good idea for seniors to get vaccinated.

Shingles makes it presence felt in painful blisters on the skin, often around the eyes. Victims usually one have one episode, but one is more than enough. The pain can persist for weeks.

Related to chicken pox

Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. Though you can only get chicken pox once, the virus remains in your body throughout your life, but is held in check by your immune system.

As you age, your immune system tends to weaken, giving shingles a chance to erupt. If you have a bought with cancer, and undergo chemotherapy, that can weaken your immune system enough to bring on a bought of shingles.

Doctors say one out of three people in the U.S. will get shingles at some point in their lifetime. To guard against being that one person, you can get a single dose of the vaccine Zostavax. It's only recommended for adults over age 60.

Single dose

The single dose acts to boost your immunity and reduce the chances of getting shingles, though it is not 100 percent effective. Medicare Part D usually pays for it.

The disease's name comes from the Latin word cingulum, which means belt. The virus that causes shingles is varicella-zoster, which combines the Latin word for little pox with the Greek word for girdle. In Italy, shingles is often called St. Anthony's fire.