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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Should Shingles Vaccination Be Taken More Than Once?

Is the shingles vaccination a one-time thing or something I should do each year? I had chicken pox as a child, and a fairly mild attack last year of shingles, after I had been vaccinated. Now I have either a small shingle on my face or a spider bite...not sure which.
Mon, 29 May 2017
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
shingles or varicella zoster is a viral disease caused by the reactivation of the chicken pox virus in the nerve and it's overlying skin.
children are to be given 2 doses of the vaccine.
adults especially those with low immunity can be given the vaccine which either prevents or reduces the severity of the disease.
the vaccine being used currently gives immunity for about 5years after which it s effect wanes.
A new vaccine is undergoing trials for a longer immunity.
if your lesion is a spot of rash with no tingling or pain it is most probably an insect bite.
if it starts spreading or is painful you can start an antiviral like Acivir 400 mg trice a day for 1 week.
for the pain you can try cold compresses or tab Calpol 650 mg SOS
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Should Shingles Vaccination Be Taken More Than Once?

shingles or varicella zoster is a viral disease caused by the reactivation of the chicken pox virus in the nerve and it s overlying skin. children are to be given 2 doses of the vaccine. adults especially those with low immunity can be given the vaccine which either prevents or reduces the severity of the disease. the vaccine being used currently gives immunity for about 5years after which it s effect wanes. A new vaccine is undergoing trials for a longer immunity. if your lesion is a spot of rash with no tingling or pain it is most probably an insect bite. if it starts spreading or is painful you can start an antiviral like Acivir 400 mg trice a day for 1 week. for the pain you can try cold compresses or tab Calpol 650 mg SOS