Shingles can be debilitating, for years, in some people.

Shingles hides itself (apparently) along nerves. Thta's why, when it decides to out itself, the victim usually sees very clear lines of demarcation, typically 'across' the body but also up/down as well.

It isn't a fun sickness if you get it in particular spots or if it brings its big irritants along for the outing.

I was lucky - no more than 2 days of very bad pain/itch. But the damned pills were well over $10.00 EACH, as I remember (but worth every penny :))

>I don't know about the article from the NEJM, but I've never had the vaccine. I always believed that if you've had chicken pox, then that was the end of that forever. When I got shingles, I found out differently. From what I understand, shingles is the dormant chicken pox virus coming back to life in a less severe form. It was itchy, and you don't want anybody slapping you on the back for a job well done, but other than that, it was no big deal. If you've never had chicken pox, then yes, you can get chicken pox, but not shingles. I was told by the doctor too, that shingles may recur. So far, so good however. I had it something like about 20 years ago. I don't think I'm going to bother with the vaccine. If I get shingles again, maybe I'll change my mind, but right now it just seems like too much bother.
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>When I had shingles it was pretty funny because apparently shingles is not one of your more common diseases. When the doctor first looked at my back and sides, he immediately ran out into the corridor and started calling other doctors and nurses to come and look. Then I think he started calling kitchen staff, people off the street, and neighbouring communities. It got pretty crowded in there.
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>>You are immune from getting fullblown chickenpox again, but not shingles (the virus actives and moves in the skin, right?) was my point (which I didn't make). Was all of this before the vaccine? Have you had the vaccine? My mother-in-law had shingles and the doctor said that she could get it again. It could keep recurring. That was my point though, that if you chickenpox then you could could shingles later in life. However, if you've NEVER had chickenpox then chances are you will never get shingles. What the deal is concerning shingles though and the vaccine I don't know. Can you still get chickenpox if you haven't had chickenpox but you have had the vaccine? If not, that is a good reason to get the vaccine. The New England Journal of Medicine reported that the vaccine given to adults over 60 will either prevent shingles or at least reduce the severity of it if the person does get it. Has that been discounted now?
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>>>You aren't really immune. According to my doctor, the only way to get shingles is to have had chicken pox. I can attest to the fact that you are not immune and that shingles is a real drag. Not dangerous, or anything, but not fun to say the least.
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>>>>Actually, a simple blood test can determine if you've ever had the chicken pox or not. I never had symptoms of it, measles, or the mumps. Hoever, when one of the kids was sick my mom would keep everyone home (to hopefully get it all over with at one time when there are 5 kids :o) and I just got to enjoy my days off. Later in life blood tests revealed that I had all three and was pretty much immune now. You have a greater immunity if you've actually had the chicken pox then from the vaccine I understand. However, if blood test reveal that an adult has never been exposed to it, then I highly recommend the vaccine as well.
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>>>>>Chicken Pox can be fatal in adults. If you have not been vaccinated, you should
>>>>>talk to your doctor.
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>>>>>>I thought these would be relatively easy to find the answers to, but haven't found them yet.
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>>>>>>Is chickenpox vaccination routine or required?
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>>>>>>If you are vaccinated, can you still get chickenpox?
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>>>>>>If you are not vaccinated, what are the odds you can get chickenpox?
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>>>>>>Not looking for someone to do more Googling for me, just wondered if anyone knew these already.