Shingles

Brought to you by Tom Simpson – RPH

  • Shingles is a painful rash that can lead to serious complications, such as postherpetic neuralgia (pain that lasts months to years after shingles), infections, and even blindness in rare cases.
  • Up to 20% of people will get shingles in their lifetime. It is most common in people over 50 years of age.
  • Anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk of developing shingles
  • Shingles can even spread to unvaccinated individuals and cause chickenpox.
  • Anti-viral treatment can be effective in clearing the infection, however, even with treatment complications can occur.
  • Vaccination is the best way to prevent shingles. The new two-dose vaccination is about 95% effective and can reduce your chance of getting shingles in your lifetime from about 20% to as low as 1%.
  • Call your pharmacy for more information on vaccination and to find out if the vaccine may be right for you.
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