Some of you may have been putting off getting the Shingles vaccination, and it’s important that you realize the risk you’re taking. Getting the shingles is no laughing matter, and it can be a serious condition. If you’re reading this and you haven’t been vaccinated, you’re taking a risk that no one should.
What are shingles?
Shingles is known in medical circles as herpes zoster. You may also know that herpes zoster is the same thing that causes chickenpox. If you’ve had chickenpox in the past, the herpes zoster lays dormant in your body, waiting for the perfect time to spring back up.
Shingles are super painful, and they hurt like nothing else can. A person afflicted with shingles is in constant pain that they will go away ASAP. The problem that you’ll face is that the pain won’t go away, and you’ll be in pure agony during the entire illness.
What are the symptoms of shingles?
The most common symptom of shingles is a rash on one side of the body. A shingles rash is no ordinary rash because it hurts like the dickens. The pain can last for months or even years after the rash has healed. Yes, you read that right. You can experience pain even if the rash is no longer visible.
You may also experience facial paralysis and eye infections, and if all that wasn’t bad enough, you might have hearing loss. If the constant pain of having the shingles doesn’t get you down, not being able to hear your doctor talk about it certainly will.
Who should get a shingles vaccine?
If you’re over 50 years old, you should get vaccinated. If you have HIV/AIDS or another medical condition that weakens your immune system, you, too, should get the vaccine. If you have any doubt whether or not you should get vaccinated against shingles, it’s best to ask your doctor. A quick look at your medical history is all it takes for them to decide whether or not receiving the vaccination is a good idea.
What you should expect when getting a shingles vaccine
Shingles vaccines are given as an injection like most other vaccines. The only difference is that you’ll need to get two vaccines. Your doctor will tell you to return for your second dose in two to six months. The shingles vaccine isn’t a one-and-done deal, so keep that in mind when you’re scheduling your appointments.
Most people have mild to no side effects from the vaccine. Some may experience pain at the injection site or feel tired afterward. In rare cases, they might have a fever or a headache after being vaccinated. Usually, these symptoms go away after a day or two, and they’re nothing but a nuisance.
It’s very rare that anyone has an allergic reaction to the shingles vaccine, but it can happen. If you experience hives or angioedema, contact your doctor immediately and get seen. Although it’s rare that anyone suffers from these allergic reactions, you need to be on top of things in case they do.
The benefits of getting vaccinated
The shingles vaccine has numerous benefits, and they are important to know. The first benefit is a reduction in the chance of getting shingles. If you’ve been vaccinated, you’re less likely to get shingles.
If you do get shingles after becoming vaccinated, you’ll likely have an easier time going through it. You’ll likely not suffer the same type of lingering pain that can last for months or, even worse, for years. You probably also won’t ask people to repeat what they said because you weren’t able to hear them.
Getting vaccinated can save you money in the long run. Getting the shingles can cost you a lot of money, and getting vaccinated can prevent or lessen the financial burden. The best way to save money is by not getting sick in the first place. You’ll save a ton of dough if you don’t get infected and don’t have to miss work.
Above all else, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that you’re protected against this terrible medical condition. As you age, you’ll see more people afflicted by shingles and how it ruins their lives. Sure, it might be only a temporary disruption, but sometimes it can last years, and the havoc caused can be immeasurable.
Conclusion
Get your two doses of shingles vaccine and get on with your life. The shingles vaccine is two shots that can save you all kinds of headaches in the future. No one likes going to the doctor, but if you get vaccinated now, you’ll prevent yourself from plenty of doctor visits in the future.
