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Turning 65 might equate in a lot of peoples’ minds to becoming a pensioner and a fully-fledged Gold Card carrier.
However, a 65th birthday also means that for one year only, the person is also eligible for free shingles vaccinations. The offer is only available in a person’s 65th year. Thereafter, a dose costs around $500.
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus – the same virus that causes chickenpox. It causes a painful rash which can occur anywhere on the body, although it most often appears as a single stripe of blisters on the torso.
In people who have had chickenpox, the virus lies inactive in nerve tissue near the spinal cord and brain. Years later, the virus may reactivate as shingles.
It is not known what exactly causes the virus to become active again, but the risk of getting shingles is greater in older people and in people with a weakened immune system.
It isn’t life-threatening, but it can be painful and vaccines can help reduce the risk of shingles. Early treatment can help shorten the infection and lessen the chance of complications.
The most common complication from the shingles infection is pain after the infection has gone and one in five people experience it. The pain can carry on for months to years after the infection, and is described as burning, sharp and jabbing, or deep and aching.
Source and info: www.health.govt.nz/your-health/conditions-and-treatments/diseases-and-illnesses/shingles
