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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How To Avoid Recurrent Shingles?

my husband got shingles for the first time 4 weeks ago, on his neck and torso, the rush disappeared but he is still in a lot of nerve pain, the doctor prescribed him Gabapentin, he is 66 years hold. I heard it might come back, should he get the vaccine once the pain is over?
Thu, 4 Aug 2016
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Shingles a viral disease characterized by a painful skin rash with blisters involving a localized area. It is caused by varicella zoster virus which remains inactivated in our body. Chickenpox is due to an initial infection with VZV. Once chickenpox has resolved, the virus may remain inactive in nerve cells. Shingles occurs when viral antibody titer and cellular immunity decline to levels that allow viral reactivation. Contributing factors are old age, immune-compromised patients (HIV) as well as patients on biologics (Rheumatoid arthritis patients) and chemotherapy (cancer patients). High potency live attenuated VZV vaccine (Zostavax) is available. Zostavax is an FDA licensed vaccine that helps to reduce the risk of getting herpes zoster (shingles) in individuals 50 years of age and older. This should not be used in people younger than 50 years of age. Vaccination also reduces the frequency of post – herpetic neuralgia.
Advice
1.     As your husband’s age is 66 years, he take vaccine under medical supervision only
2.     He can continue taking gabapentin as suggested by his doctor
Thanks
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How To Avoid Recurrent Shingles?

Shingles a viral disease characterized by a painful skin rash with blisters involving a localized area. It is caused by varicella zoster virus which remains inactivated in our body. Chickenpox is due to an initial infection with VZV. Once chickenpox has resolved, the virus may remain inactive in nerve cells. Shingles occurs when viral antibody titer and cellular immunity decline to levels that allow viral reactivation. Contributing factors are old age, immune-compromised patients (HIV) as well as patients on biologics (Rheumatoid arthritis patients) and chemotherapy (cancer patients). High potency live attenuated VZV vaccine (Zostavax) is available. Zostavax is an FDA licensed vaccine that helps to reduce the risk of getting herpes zoster (shingles) in individuals 50 years of age and older. This should not be used in people younger than 50 years of age. Vaccination also reduces the frequency of post – herpetic neuralgia. Advice 1. As your husband’s age is 66 years, he take vaccine under medical supervision only 2. He can continue taking gabapentin as suggested by his doctor Thanks