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Is There Any Incidence Among Caregivers Infected With Shingles In The Course Of Their Work?

Posted on Tue, 25 Mar 2014

Question: Health Query Restated: Hi Dr. I am looking for references, preferably online, to recent research and anecdotes about the incidence among caregivers in the US, in general, and those who assist seniors in particular, who become ill with shingles in the course of their work. Follow-up Questions: 1) Can some cases of shingles qualify as a disability? 2) Can some cases of the shingles complication, post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), qualify as a disability? Thank you, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX YYYY@YYYY

Answered by Dr. Vjollce Mbiarra (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Is not a disability. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thanks for your query. Shingles in caregivers in the course of their work isnt disability. Shingles cannot be passed from one person to another. However, a person with shingles can transmit VZV to others. If a person who has never had chickenpox gets infected with VZV, he or she will develop chickenpox, not shingles. The virus can reactivate years later and cause shingles. The only way to reduce your risk of developing shingles and PHN is to get vaccinated.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Vjollce Mbiarra (48 hours later)

Thank you for your detailed answer Doctor. 1) Can some cases of PHN qualify as a disability? 2) Where can I find credible sources that cite the incidence among caregivers in the US who become ill with shingles in the course of their work?

Answered by Dr. Vjollce Mbiarra (13 hours later)

Brief Answer: Is difficult to qualify as a disability. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thanks for your query. The problems with proving disability due to post-herpetic neuralgia are the questions of how long the pain will last and how bad the pain is. Usually by the time we get to a hearing on one of these cases, we’re well past the one year mark so duration is not a problem. Pain cannot be measured so it is always a problem to prove. At least, everyone acknowledges that post-herpetic neuralgia is a very real problem and usually quite painful, so these cases are usually quite sympathetic. I have no information about credible sources.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Vjollce Mbiarra (36 hours later)

This is helpful Dr. Mbiarra. Thank you very much, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Vjollce Mbiarra (8 hours later)

Brief Answer: You are welcome Detailed Answer: Hello! Im pleasure to be helpful. You are welcome to Healthmagicare. Thank you very much. Dr.VJOLLCE MBIARRA

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E