Shingles? On the rise ?

[scandinavianyellow]

i have heard about 4 different people who have this locally. Is this usual?

Maybe it's time of year. Change of weather, people being run down.

It is to do with your own individual immune system and can only get it if you have had chicken pox in the past and lays dormant so usually occurs if you are run down.

My husband is still recovering from shingles; he is in his 50s, an age group where shingles is quite common. He is also under stress from his new job, which can compromise the immune system.

I feel it’s more prevalent now/ since Covid

It definitely seems to be spoken about more at least.

Do you have the shingles shot in the UK? Here in the US, everyone over 50 is entitled to it. I’ve had mine, it was a bit grim but shingles sounds absolutely dreadful.

It’s not contagious so not on the rise as in an epidemic. People who get it have contracted the herpes zoster virus many years before. Often decades before. But life is stressful for sure and that can trigger it apparently. The way my life is going I should think I must be due another attack of it.

Yes, it’s free on the NHS if you are in the correct age-related group, or if you are 50+ and immune compromised.

Otherwise it’s approx £400 for the two jabs.

I had it 4 years ago age 38.
horrid. I will pay for the jab on my 50th bday

I had it when I was 30 - nearly 10 years ago. It’s the most unwell I’ve ever been in my life and I will pay for the vaccination as soon as I can.
I can’t imagine it’s on the rise though because it’s to do with individual immune systems

I’ve had it three times

Free on nhs for those 65 and over

Time of year, older population and modern stressors. I had it once after my divorce, wouldn’t want it again.

That’s interesting. I didn’t know. Couple of these are kids…

My ds had shingles age 3 after chickenpox at 6 months. Childhood shingles is more common in children who had CP under 1 year

To quote the nhs website: "The shingles vaccine helps protect against shingles. It's available on the NHS for all adults turning 65, those aged 70 to 79 and those aged 18 and over with a severely weakened immune system."

And again: "From 1 September 2023, you're eligible for the shingles vaccine when you turn 65."

Beware, because if you turned 65 before that date, then you have to wait until you're 70. It's just the way that the programme works, but it meant that a cohort born in the 1950s (I haven't worked this out exactly) has had to wait rather longer. More info on the website.

DH got the first shingles vax and then got shingles. He’s declined the second dose.

Shingrix? It’s not a ‘live’ vaccine.

I know someone who has it at the moment. She’s had the vaccine and also had it twice before in her life. It does seem to be becoming more common.

I'm 60 and have now had shingles 3 times, very mildly admittedly but enough to make me unwell for a few days and only a small rash on my torso, I was refused the vaccine as I am not classed as auto immune or over 65.

Interesting. I had chicken pox as a child, and I really don’t fancy shingles, so have booked a jab for a couple of weeks time.

I am turning 65, so luckily will be getting it on the NHS.

Yup. Had it three times too.

People always look surprised when I tell them… but looks like I’m in good company!

I found the viral medication quite effective, but it has to be started early in the process. You need to know the symptoms.

One of my dc had it when they were 6. Wasn't nice

i think so. But regardless it’s a bit of a massive coincidence that a week after the vaccine he gets shingles. So we’ll take our chances.

"I can’t imagine it’s on the rise though because it’s to do with individual immune systems"

I can definitely understand why it's on the rise. COVID is well known to impact immune response for a few months after infection and many people catch it every year and it's spiking again at the moment

Illness is genuinely more prevalent that it was before the pandemic.

No, it’s free for those aged 70-79 and those who turned 65 after 23 September 2023. Anyone who was 65 before that date (like me) has to wait until they turn 70. I had shingles 2 years ago, and I really don’t want it again, but I have to wait until I’m 70 or pay for it. I have no idea why they decided to do it this way.