Should You Get Shingles Vaccine If You Had Chickenpox Vaccine?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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People 60 years of age or older should get shingles vaccine

(Zostavax). They should get the vaccine whether or not they recall having had chickenpox, which is caused by the same virus as shingles.

Does chickenpox vaccine make you immune to shingles?

Study findings are in favour of universal childhood vaccination. Summary:

Re-exposure to chickenpox virus boosts immunity to shingles for a tenth of the time previously

thought. So although vaccination increases shingles cases in 31-40 year olds, in the longer term the benefits outweigh the risks, scientists conclude.

Can you get shingles if youve had chicken pox vaccine?

The answer is

yes

. If you’ve never had chickenpox, you can still develop it. And chickenpox can lead to shingles. Also, if you’ve been vaccinated with the chickenpox vaccine, it’s possible to develop shingles, since it’s a live vaccine.

What triggers a shingles outbreak?

Shingles is triggered by

a weakened or compromised immune system

. Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a virus infection that causes painful rashes on the body, usually on one side of your torso. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox.

Do you need a shingles shot if you never had chickenpox?

Preventing shingles

Vaccines can help keep you from developing severe shingles symptoms or complications from shingles.

All children should receive two doses of the chickenpox vaccine

, also known as a varicella immunization. Adults who’ve never had chickenpox should also get this vaccine.

Does the chickenpox vaccine last for life?

Duration of Protection


It is not known how long a vaccinated person is protected against varicella

. But, live vaccines in general provide long-lasting immunity. Several studies have shown that people vaccinated against varicella had antibodies for at least 10 to 20 years after vaccination.

How many times can you get shingles?

Can a person get shingles

more than once

? Most people who develop shingles, also known as herpes zoster, only experience it once in their lifetime. However, it is possible to have shingles more than once. The varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes shingles and chickenpox.

Can stress cause a shingles outbreak?

Since stress affects the immune system, many researchers believe that

stress could be a trigger for shingles

. Researchers in multiple studies have linked chronic, daily stress, and highly stressful life events as risk factors for shingles.

What does mild shingles look like?

The generalized signs and symptoms in the body may include:


Raised red rash

which usually appears a few days after the pain. Multiple blisters which appear in a stripe pattern. The blisters contain fluid and they break open with crusting. Fever, chills, fatigue, and body ache.

What happens if you let shingles go untreated?

If left untreated, some complications of shingles can be fatal.

Pneumonia, encephalitis, stroke, and bacterial infections

can cause your body to go into shock or sepsis.

Who is most likely to shingles?

Shingles is most common in

people older than 50

. The risk increases with age. Having certain diseases. Diseases that weaken your immune system, such as HIV/AIDS and cancer, can increase your risk of shingles.

What if I never had chickenpox?

Adults who never had chickenpox can

easily catch it from an infected child’s sneezes or coughs

. Airborne droplets can spread the chickenpox virus, known as a varicella-zoster virus (a member of the herpes family). The vaccine may help, though, Brodhead said.

Do adults need a varicella booster?

CDC recommends

2 doses of varicella

(chickenpox) vaccine for children, adolescents, and adults to protect against varicella. Children are routinely recommended to receive the first dose at age 12 through 15 months and the second dose at age 4 through 6 years old.

Can you lose immunity to chickenpox?

Being exposed to chickenpox as an adult (for example, through contact with infected children) boosts your immunity to

shingles

. If you vaccinate children against chickenpox, you lose this natural boosting, so immunity in adults will drop and more shingles cases will occur.

Is there a vaccine for chicken pox?


Two doses of the chickenpox vaccine

are over 90% effective at preventing it. Most people who get the vaccine don’t get chickenpox — and those who do usually get a much milder version of the disease. There are 2 vaccines that protect against chickenpox: The chickenpox vaccine protects children and adults from chickenpox.

Is it safe to be around someone with shingles?


Shingles itself is not contagious

. You can’t spread the condition to another person. However, the varicella-zoster virus is contagious, and if you have shingles, you can spread the virus to another person, which could then cause them to develop chickenpox.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.