Shingles is Painful but Preventable with Shingles Vaccination

If you’ve ever known anyone who has had shingles, then you know you don’t want to get it! Shingles is a painful skin rash caused by the chicken pox virus. 

Shingles is painful, but preventable – that’s the good news. Shingles is 90% preventable when you’ve had the Shingles vaccine.  

  

What Is Shingles? 

The varicella-zoster virus is responsible for both chicken pox and shingles. You can only get shingles if you’ve previously had Chicken Pox.  Once the chicken pox virus is in your body, it never goes away, and it can appear later as shingles. Shingles create a rash of blisters with a red base that can be painful. It's also very contagious. Shingles usually runs its course in 7 to 10 days. The most effective way to avoid getting shingles is by getting vaccinated. 

shingles vaccination


Shingles Vaccine
 

The Shingrix vaccine for Shingles is considered more than 90% effective. Two doses of Shingrix are recommended for the prevention of shingles.  

You can get it even if you’ve had shingles before. So, getting the Shingles vaccine is the best way of avoiding getting your first or repeat case of Shingles. It’s an easy way to stay healthy and avoid this painful virus. 

If you’re in the greater London area and want to get the Shingles Vaccine, visit Touchwood pharmacy to get the Shingles vaccination in our Northolt branch. 

  

Shingles symptoms include: 

·              Enlarged lymph nodes 

·              Fever, chills, and headache 

·              Itching 

·              Red fluid-filled blisters 

·              Stabbing or shooting pain 

·              Tingling or burning feeling in or under your skin 

·              Upset stomach 

  

Treatment for Shingles 

Antiviral drugs can help you heal faster and cut your risk of complications. They’re most effective if you take them within 3 days of the start of a rash, so see your doctor as soon as possible.  

You’ll probably get one of these three medications to fight the virus: 

·              Acyclovir (Zovirax) 

·              Famciclovir (Famvir) 

·              Valacyclovir (Valtrex) 

 

Home remedies and over-the-counter treatments for shingles pain can include: 

·              Colloidal oatmeal baths  

·              Cool compresses 

·              Medicated lotion 

·              Numbing medications like lidocaine   

·              OTC Acetaminophen or ibuprofen   

·              Prescription painkillers like codeine  

Most people who get shingles only have it once. But people with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to shingles coming back again.   

Make your appointment online at Touchwood pharmacy to get the shingles vaccination in Ramsgate as well as our other locations throughout the greater London area. We provide a full range of vaccinations to keep you disease-free and healthy! 

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