People 60 and older should get a one-time shingles shot that can help prevent the painful rash, U.S. health officials are recommending. There’s a 50-50 chance the shot will prevent shingles for those 60 and up, though the odds get worse the older you get. But some shingles cases can be severe, and the government believes the shot is worth the $160 cost. Caused by the same virus as chickenpox, shingles is a blistering rash most common in older people. It usually ends after four weeks, but 1 in 5 victims develop long-term nerve pain. Other complications include scarring and loss of vision or hearing. Chickenpox infects about 95 percent of Americans, although some suffer mild illness and may not know they’ve had it. As many as 1 in 3 infected people develop shingles later in life.
Please click on the link below to read the Chicago Tribune article:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/health/chi-shingles-shots-natmay16,0,3269246.story
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