Shingles Vaccine
In today's world, vaccines are one of the most useful and effective ways to prevent and treat various medical ailments. Whether it is chickenpox or polio, vaccines have had a dramatic impact on the quality of life around the world. Because shingles affect approximately twenty percent of the adult population, it only seems logical that there would be a vaccine to treat it. However, the situation surrounding shingles is a slightly more complicated than other conditions.
Shingles are caused by the reactivation of the herpes zoster virus. The herpes zoster virus is the same virus that causes chickenpox in children. Although it is not known what reactivates the virus, factors such as stress and a weakened immune system are considered prime suspects. Once the virus is reactivated in adults however, it is assured that it will lead to a case of the shingles. Although there is a VZV vaccine that is used to prevent chickenpox, it is not yet completely effective in preventing cases of shingles. Although it can decrease the incidence of shingles by helping the body fight off VZV, it is only in the investigative stages as a preventative measure.
For the time being, shingles are still a medical issue that affect a significant portion of the adult population. However, the future looks extremely hopeful for the eventual elimination of shingles as a medical problem. For the time being, the most effective way to deal with shingles is by recognizing the symptoms and seeking proper medical attention as soon as possible. |
