Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus—the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you've had chickenpox, the virus remains inactive in your nerve tissue near your spinal cord and brain. Years later, it can reactivate as shingles. For adults in DuPage County, including Oak Brook and Oakbrook Terrace, understanding shingles and the importance of vaccination is key to prevention.
What are the Symptoms of Shingles?
Shingles typically begins with pain, burning, numbness, or tingling in a specific area on one side of your body. Within a few days, a red rash appears, followed by fluid-filled blisters. The rash usually wraps around one side of your torso, but it can occur anywhere on your body, including your face and eyes.
Other symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Sensitivity to light
The most common complication of shingles is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), which is severe, long-lasting pain in the area where the rash occurred, even after the blisters have cleared. PHN can be debilitating and last for months or even years.
The Importance of Shingles Vaccination
The good news is that shingles is largely preventable with vaccination. The CDC recommends two doses of the shingles vaccine (Shingrix) for healthy adults 50 years and older. Shingrix is highly effective, providing strong protection against shingles and PHN.
Why get vaccinated?
- High Efficacy: Shingrix is over 90% effective at preventing shingles and PHN.
- Long-Lasting Protection: Protection remains high for at least seven years after vaccination.
- Prevents Complications: Significantly reduces the risk of developing PHN, the most common and painful complication.
Who Should Get the Shingles Vaccine?
- Healthy adults 50 years and older.
- Adults 19 years and older who are immunocompromised.
Even if you've had shingles before, or received the older Zostavax vaccine, Shingrix is recommended to provide stronger and longer-lasting protection.
Convenient Shingles Vaccination at Sayf Primary Care
At Sayf Primary Care, we make it easy for you to get vaccinated against shingles. Our Oakbrook Terrace clinic is conveniently located for residents of Oak Brook, Westmont, and surrounding areas. Simply call our office to schedule your vaccination appointment.
Protect yourself from the pain of shingles. Schedule your shingles vaccination with Sayf Primary Care today.