22/08/2025
What is Herpes Zoster?
Also known as Shingles are caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus (Varicella Zoster Virus)
It can be transmitted by direct contact with the infected individual through a vesicle, an ulcerated lesion or airborne aerosols (coughing and sneezing)
After you have chickenpox, the virus can stay dormant in your body for years in the nerve cells and gets activated when you are stressed and/or immunocompromised.
What happens when we get Shingles?
• Painful blistering body rash form some individuals, body aches, fever, tiredness
What happens after Shingles?
• Post Herpetic Neuralgia (nerve pain that can last for > 90 days, can be severe and debilitating with no cure for it)
• Facial nerve palsy (nerves on face becomes paralysed or weak, hearing impairment and vertigo can take place)
• Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus (affects the eye and may lead to keratitis, uveitis, glaucoma, cataract and iridocyclitis)
All these risks increase with a decrease in immunity, as observed in individuals aged >50 and immunocompromised (transplant patients, individuals with chronic diseases like CKD, autoimmune disorder)
A 2-dose regime is recommended INTRAMUSCULARLY (injected into the muscle):
• 1st dose
• 2nd dose (2-6 months apart for healthy individuals aged >50, 2 months apart if immunocompromised)
Shingrix vaccine has been evaluated for efficacy between (89% for age group 50) and it gives a long-term protection of at least 10 years post vaccination.
Side effects include pain, redness and swelling at the injection site, tiredness, mild fever and headache which can be resolved with PCM (paracetamol)
DON’T WAIT. VACCINATE!
