I may or may not have had chicken pox when I was a wee lad-- Mammahomie’s mental record-keeping leaves something to be desired. Is it wise for me to go ahead and get the shingles vaccination? Is this something I should do now (I’m 42) or wait until I’m older?
You’re too young now, but I’d get it at 50.
I’m in the same boat not remembering if I’d had chicken pox. I got the shot two years ago when I was 65 because shingles is very painful and I thought it was worth the money.
I think there was a shingles thread recently where a poster who had shingles said something to the effect that if he could go back and pay $500 for the shot it would be worth it.
I was in the same boat as you until a couple of years ago, when my sister ended up in the ER with what turned out to be shingles, but was initially diagnosed as a torn rotator cuff. It was not a fun experience for her. Mom didn’t remember either of us having had chicken pox, but at least my sister must have.
After talking to my doctor, he recommended a blood titer test for the virus. I had no immunity, so I decided to get some. I got the chicken pox vaccine last year at age 43. I hope it will prevent shingles when the time comes. Insurance covered the vaccine, and it wasn’t a big deal at all.
it is recommended (USA) at 60. the disease doesn’t happen until then most likely and has worse effects then.
I would say that if there is a chance that you have not had chicken pox, you should make getting either a chicken pox or shingles vaccine a high priority. It is entirely possible to get chicken pox in your 40s or 50s and it really, really sucks. And even more depressing is the fact that after you get it, you will be eligible to get shingles for the rest of your life.
If you’ve managed to avoid the pox for all these years, count yourself very lucky. Don’t blow it now, get a vaccination.
I asked a doctor friend if the shingles shot is worth getting. He said if you don’t get shingles it’s a waste of money but if you get the shingles you’ll wish to God that you got the shot. He had a smile on his face when he said this. I got the shot. I’m 60.
Has anyone been told that they should get the shot if they’ve had the shingles in the past and are under 50? I’m not sure if the fact I’ve had it predisposes me to getting it again…
Hey! I was about to ask this. I had shingles in my early thirties. Does that mean that I am more likely to have a recurrence in my fifties, or less likely?
I had shingles at 46 and was told by my physician that they are unlikely to recur. For me, it was not very severe and the anti-virals had an almost immediate effect.
Less likely, but unlike the old common wisdom, it’s not a 0% chance.
FWIW, I recommend to patients that they get their shot, but I warn them that, like every vaccine, it isn’t 100% effective. It reduces the incidence of shingles by about 70%.
Did you see this thread from last month?
Does getting the vaccine ever trigger an outbreak of shingles?