H42 -- October 2007 -- Shingles Vaccine

Intro: Ask anyone who’s had shingles and they’ll tell you: a flare up is no fun. The rash hurts and can cause major pain and discomfort months after the initial outbreak. And anyone who has had chicken pox or the chicken pox vaccine is at risk. But doctors at Mayo Clinic say you can protect yourself from the virus with the shingles vaccine.

“IN RETIREMENT YOU CANNOT PLAN YOUR DAY AROUND GETTING YOUR HAIR CUT.”
AND TRUE TO FORM, PAUL BELAU’S [BAY-LOHZ] RETIREMENT IS FIRE ENGINE RED.

“IT’S A 1961 FORD.”

BUT PAUL HAD A LITTLE SET BACK WHEN HE WAS WORKING ON OLD ENGINE NUMBER 9.

“I WAS LYING UNDERNEATH IT. IT WAS THAT EVENING I NOTICED A PAIN IN MY SIDE. I ATTRIBUTED IT TO ROLLING OVER UNDERNEATH THERE ONTO SOME TOOLS.”

HOURS LATER PAUL’S TORSO WAS BLISTERED WITH THE BURNING RASH OF SHINGLES.

“YOU COULDN’T STAND ANYTHING TO TOUCH IT. THE SKIN IS SO SUPERSENSITIVE.”

“SHINGLES IS A VIRAL INFECTION AND IT IS A CONSEQUENCE OF HAVING HAD CHICKEN POX.”
OR THE CHICKEN POX VACCINE, SAYS DR. PREE-UH SAM-PATH KOO-MAR.

YOU SEE, AFTER YOU’VE HAD CHICKENPOX THE VIRUS CAN LIVE DORMANT IN YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM FOR YEARS. THEN, IF YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM BECOMES WEAK BECAUSE OF AN ILLNESS OR THE AGING PROCESS, THE VIRUS CAN REACTIVATE AND TRAVEL ALONG YOUR NERVES TO YOUR SKIN, CAUSING SEVERE PAIN AND BLISTERS. AND JUST AS THIS LITTLE TRUCK CAN HELP PUT OUT FIRES, MEDICATION MAY HELP PUT OUT THE “FIRE” OF SHINGLES. BUT THE VACCINE CAN PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING IN THE FIRST PLACE.

“THE VACCINE CAN CUT YOUR RISK OF GETTING SHINGLES OVERALL BY ABOUT 50-PERCENT.”

IT CAN ALSO CUT YOUR RISK OF SEVERE PAIN BY TWO-THIRDS. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE THAT EVERYONE OVER AGE 60 SHOULD GET THE VACCINE.

“I WAS SUPPOSED TO GET THE SHOT IN TWO WEEKS.”

TOO LATE. BUT PAUL RECOVERED IN ABOUT 6 WEEKS. AND HE’S HAVING A BLAST IN A RETIREMENT THAT’S FIRE ENGINE RED.

I’M VIVIEN WILLIAMS.

Anchor tag: Even though Paul has had shingles, he should still get the vaccine to prevent future outbreaks.

The vaccine is recommended for people over 60, but it may not be right for everyone. People with weakened immune systems should not get the shot because it contains live virus.

If you do get shingles, it’s very important to seek medical care immediately. That’s because antiviral medications work best if they’re taken early – within 48 hours.

For more information on the vaccine or shingles, visit our Website at …

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