quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:

My understanding is that some folks have a poor memory of whether they have had chickenpox.

Very true.

quote:

BTW Alan you can get shingles more than once.

I'm well aware. I'm only 41; getting shingles was the last thing on my mind. Nevertheless I got it, and I got it while out at sea and four days out of port. Luckily though we keep enough meds onboard the ship to restock a small pharmacy so I had the proper antivirals at the proper time. I will be getting the vaccine as soon as I'm able.

It's been about 2 months, and I'm still dealing with some after effects.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:

quote:

He never had chickenpox. He does not need the shingles vaccine because he can't get shingles

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
My understanding is that some folks have a poor memory of whether they have had chickenpox.

Shingrix recommended for everyone age 50 and older, whether or not you remember having had chickenpox, because most people have been exposed to the virus.

In short, ask your physician beforehand.

BTW Alan you can get shingles more than once.

The link I posted earlier recommended getting tested for immunity to the virus.

Hi MrsRotNdad here. I have a question.
Is it possible to get chicken pox now (in his 50s)? And then if so, would that then make him vulnerable to shingles?
I gotta say this punch in the arm is no little jab. It hurts like a bitch (and I'm not shy about getting shots. Even tetanus shots, which IMHO are up there with uncomfortable-AF!), but this one effin HURTS!
But like people have said here, and what I've heard from EVERYONE who has ever had shingles, a few days or a week with a sore arm, FAR beats even an hour with shingles.
So... Can you get Chucken Pox as an adult?
(Wait, is this 2020? Hummm)

Yes you can get shingles as an adult, plus it is more severe.

quote:

Originally posted by TSM11:

So... Can you get Chucken Pox as an adult?
(Wait, is this 2020? Hummm)

The answer to that is absolutely.

My wife went through a bout of shingles in her 40s; pure hell according to her. She's about to sign up for the vaccine since shingles can indeed reoccur (at the time she was told it's about a 20 year cycle, though that can vary significantly depending on the person). Since we're in our 60s now, it's about time that she goes through with the vaccine. She's been telling me that I need to do it as well.

For decades I had been under the impression that I never had chicken pox. I didn't show any symptoms when my siblings and immediate cousins caught it, and never showed any in the decades that followed. A few years ago I asked my doc about getting the c-pox vaccine but he decided to first test me for evidence of the virus to make sure before giving me the shot. Sure enough at some point along the way I had chicken pox, evidently it was a very mild case since I never knew. So now I guess I gotta listen to my wife and get the shingles shots, though I think that I could contend that since my c-pox episode was almost nonexistent that any shingles may likely never, ever happen to me. However I also think that it's an argument that I'll wind up losing.

Shingrix is a vaccine against not only shingles, but against chicken pox. Whether one believes one has had chicken pox or not, the Shingrix vaccine is well advised. Especially for those who are older.

I got mildly sick with the first shot, but The second one made me sick for 3 days.

quote:

Originally posted by monoblok:
So now I guess I gotta listen to my wife and get the shingles shots, though I think that I could contend that since my c-pox episode was almost nonexistent that any shingles may likely never, ever happen to me. However I also think that it's an argument that I'll wind up losing.

Well, there may be something to that. Not that you won't one day develop shingles--if the virus is in you you most certainly can--but that at least your shingles episode might not be so bad. I've heard it hypothesized that if you had a severe case of the chickenpox, then it is more likely that you will have a bad case of the shingles vs a mild case.

quote:

Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:

quote:

Originally posted by TSM11:

So... Can you get Chucken Pox as an adult?
(Wait, is this 2020? Hummm)

The answer to that is absolutely.

My brother was in his late 30 or early 40s sitting in the waiting room at his doctor and noticed a "lady" brought her kid with chicken pox to her doctor appointment and the kid was doing what kids do in waiting rooms (running around touching everything). A few days later, my brother had chicken pox.

Less than 2 years later, my brother got shingles.

My wife and have both gotten the Shingrix vaccination, after seeing my MIL suffer, there is no way I wouldn't get it. I had a some arm pain with the first shot, second shot almost no pain but felt a bit lethargic for 12 hours.

For some reason people often experience more discomfort with one of the two Shingrix shots than the other and it may be with either shot. The worst of the two for me wasn't very bad and I would do it again in a heartbeat in preference to shingles. My wife had the same experience.

I reacted a bit to the shot. Got the shot Thursday and felt bad until mid-day Saturday. It was in my shoulder muscle, and it felt like someone was ripping my armpit out periodically. Had the chills on Friday and went to bed about 2 hrs early. Can't wait until round 2.

I'd see if your GP will test you. My wife had never had Chicken Pox. She was pregnant and a guy at her office had a severe case of the shingles. Her OB ran some tests and told her she was basically immune to the virus that causes Chicken Pox and would never be able to contract it or the shingles.

I had never heard of such a thing before or since.

Let me tell you guys also what sucks. Getting hand foot mouth as a adult. Been there and done that. Picked it up from my kids day care probably 6 years ago. Only showed up on my feet. My feet looked like a burn victims.

I would get it regardless. Ask 10 physicians for their opinion and you would probably get 10 different answers.

I had chicken pox as a kid and got shingles a few years ago.
Fortunately, a very mild case around the rib cage. Due to the unlikely chance I could get it again I've so far declined to get the vaccine.

quote:

Originally posted by blueye:
I would get it regardless. Ask 10 physicians for their opinion and you would probably get 10 different answers.

Differing answers, but each would very likely say "get it."

Unless alergic, why wouldn't one get it? The exceptions would be if you're pregnant, or if you've specifically tested negative for the virus. In the case of the latter, get the chicken pox vaccine.

The greater reaction to the vaccine indicates your immune system is in good shape. Many people in their 70s have little reaction to Shringrix.

Got off my ass and the fence post and scheduled my first Shingrix shot for the 28th.