Updated on 05/20/2022 15:14
- Shingles is a very painful skin rash caused by the herpes virus.
- There are two vaccines against it that have a preventive effect and should be used especially in vulnerable people.
Who under one shingles originally contracted the varicella-zoster virus. Initially, the virus causes classic chickenpox with small red spots and bumps on the skin that are very itchy. When the symptoms subside, the viruses lodge in nerve nodes or in the spinal cord and remain there for life.
Normally they remain there in a resting phase, but it can happen that they become active again due to a stimulus – this is when shingles develops. So you can get shingles more often. Triggers can be medication, stress or UV rays.
Anyone who does not yet have the virus can become infected in the case of chickenpox through speaking and breathing (droplet infection), in the case of shingles through direct skin contact with the blister fluid. Anyone who has had chickenpox is immune to the virus, but can still get shingles. People with a weakened immune system and people over the age of 50 are particularly at risk.
Vaccination for people over 60
Initially, typical symptoms are a feeling of discomfort and a slight fever. After a few days, those affected feel the first pains in the limbs and itching in some areas of the skin. Again three to five days later, the viruses cause the red spots and blisters that are typical of shingles and are filled with liquid. The spots and blisters can basically appear anywhere, but mostly on the abdomen, thighs or arms. However, they are always one-sided and never cross the middle of the body.
The Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) recommends vaccination against shingles for people over 60 years of age. People who suffer from an immune disease should therefore be vaccinated from the age of 50. The two vaccine doses are given at intervals of three to a maximum of six months. Children who have been vaccinated against chickenpox are significantly less likely to develop shingles or show a milder course.
The inactivated vaccine against shingles is considered extremely safe. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), there were no indications of serious side effects in the approval study. However, symptoms such as fever, redness and swelling at the vaccination site can occur.
If shingles is caught early, there is a good chance that the symptoms will subside within two to four weeks. Possible complications are the so-called post-herpetic neuralgia (burning pain), scars after the blisters have healed or nerve damage.
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