Shingles Vaccine: A Daughter’s Story

Regarding Women recently heard a personal account concerning the new shingles vaccine.

“Some of you know that my father got a terrible case of shingles on his face nearly six years ago. Shingles is caused by the same herpes virus that causes chickenpox. So if you had chickenpox, you can get shingles. Dad has suffered since that time with post-herpetic neuralgia, the electric shocks and intense itching that resulted from nerve damage. He has tried everything you can imagine and nothing has alleviated the pain except one drug that caused severe nausea.

“There is a new vaccine for people age 60 and older, and I encourage you to consider getting it when you reach the appropriate age. I don’t want to see anyone suffer the way my father has. He was in his 80s when he got shingles and it changed his life totally. Wind and sun make the pain and itching worse, so he can do none of the things he loves—particularly golf.

"Getting the vaccine is not a guarantee you won’t get shingles, but it can help prevent a case and, if you do get it, the case likely will be milder. It also is reasonably effective in preventing the post-herpetic neuralgia from which my father suffers.

“I got the vaccine yesterday. Please pass this along to everyone who could benefit from this information.”