Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you’ve had chickenpox, the virus hides in nerve endings, reactivating as shingles later, when the immune system is weakened by age or illness.

A quarter of adults will get shingles in their lifetime (all of whom will previously have had chickenpox) and the risk increases with age. There are around 50,000 cases among those aged 70-plus in England and Wales each year.

While shingles is usually mild, with pain around the blisters and sickness that can last several weeks, some suffer severe pain for years after their rash has healed, and around 50 Britons die from shingles each year, according to the Vaccine Knowledge Project at Oxford University.

The shingles vaccine aims to cut the risk of the condition and reduce the severity of the illness if it does develop. The NHS can offer the vaccination to specific cohort of patients according to their age and medical condition.

Shingles Vaccine | SHINGRIX (Zoster Vaccine Recombinant, Adjuvanted)

How does a person develop shingles?

Anyone who has had chicken pox is at risk of developing shingles later in life. However, if you have never had chickenpox, then you can catch it from someone who has shingles.

It is common for an outbreak to occur in people who have a weakened immune system, due to illness, cancer or drugs such as chemotherapy or steroids.

Symptoms

The main symptom is a burning pain in the area of the rash, which can be quite severe. Other symptoms include fever, headache, chills, tiredness and upset stomach. Very rarely, a shingles infection can lead to pneumonia, hearing problems, blindness, brain inflammation or death.

Prevention

Apart from the shingles vaccine, there is no other proven method of preventing this condition. The vaccine is available on the NHS only for patients who are aged 79, 78 or 70.

Even if you have already had shingles, you are still at risk of developing symptoms again. The shingles vaccine helps to boost the immune system and reduce the risk of future attacks.

Treatment

Oral anti-viral treatment can be taken, which has been shown to reduce the duration and severity of symptoms. Most commonly Aciclovir 800mg, 5 times daily is the recommended dose. If you are currently suffering with shingles, make an appointment with our doctor so your symptoms can be assessed and treatment started immediately.

The shingles vaccine

We can offer the Shingles vaccination for suitable clients over the age of 50 years.

The two dose course from GSK – A non live and very effective vaccination is a two dose with an 8 week gap between appointments – £240 per dose

Due to significant demand, both doses must be ordered and paid for in advance so that we can ensure the schedule can be completed on time

Price

Each dose costs £240