Shingles – The causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention
What can I do to prevent shingles?
A vaccine that is now available for shingles has been shown to prevent shingles in approximately half of people 60 years of age and older and also reduce the pain associated with shingles.
Certain people should not get the shingles vaccine, including those who have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to gelatin, the antibiotic neomycin, or any other component of shingles vaccine; have a weakened immune system because of HIV/AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system; are on treatment with drugs that affect the immune system, such as steroids; are using cancer treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy; have a history of cancer affecting the bone marrow or lymphatic system, such as leukemia or lymphoma; or have active, untreated tuberculosis. Otherwise, a single dose of shingles vaccine is indicated for adults 60 years of age and older.
