SHINGLES VACCINATIONShingles is a painful rash that is caused by the same virus that causes Chickenpox - Varicella Zoster Virus.
Most of us would have heard of or had Chickenpox before. If you have had Chickenpox before, you are at risk of developing Shingles. Basically what happens is, the Chickenpox virus remains in your body even after you have recovered from Chickenpox. It can resurface later as Shingles, which is a painful rash that develops along the nerves from the spine. The rash consists of painful blisters that follow the course of nerves originating from the spine. It is therefore usually on one side of the body and may appear in a "snake like" pattern. The Chinese people call it "She" or "Zua" (Hokkien). People who have had Shingles usually describe it as a painful rash. But the type of pain they experience is difficult to describe. It is not a typical pain that one feels when he/she gets a cut or wound. The pain comes from the nerve and it may be tingling in nature. One complication that can happen is Post herpeutic Neuralgia. This is a chronic pain that lasts even after recovering from Shingles and even after the skin has returned to normal appearance. This can last anything from a few months to years. In addition, more recently, we have learnt that Shingles increases the risk of Cardiovascular Events (eg. Strokes and Heart Attacks). We are unsure of the exact mechanism, but this risk can be increased by as high as 30%. There is a vaccine available now for those who are above 50 years old and above. You might want to consider doing this vaccine yourself or getting your elderly parents or relatives to do it. The vaccine regime consists of 2 doses 2 month apart. The name of the vaccine our clinic uses is Shingrix. Drop by for a consult. |
GREENLINK MEDICAL CLINIC
BLK 807 YISHUN RING ROAD, #01-4213, SINGAPORE 760807
NEXT TO KHATIB MRT
BLK 807 YISHUN RING ROAD, #01-4213, SINGAPORE 760807
NEXT TO KHATIB MRT