in 2006 the fda approved a shingles vaccine called zostavax. the shingles vaccine is now recommended for everyone age 50 and older. for this age group the vaccine cuts the occurrence of shingles by about half. even in those who are vaccinated and still develop shingles the painful period is reduced. this is a great development because one out of five people who have had chickenpox will eventually get shingles. you and your doctor may also be able to avert some of the pain that follows a shingles outbreak by using a nerve block during the acute phase of the disease. a nerve block may act as a preemptive strike against later development of postherpetic neuralgia. administered on an outpatient basis in a hospital it deadens pain and shrinks inflammation at the nerve root.
how can i prevent shingles?