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Shingles Vaccine
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
The shingles vaccine is an injection to protect you from the varicella-zoster virus. This virus causes chickenpox. After you get chickenpox, the virus stays in your body for several years without causing any symptoms. Shingles occurs when the virus becomes active again. The active virus travels along a nerve to your skin and causes a painful rash. The rash can be dangerous if it is near one of your eyes. A shingles outbreak can also cause chronic nerve pain called post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). PHN can last a long time after you heal from shingles.
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DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:
- You have signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing, swelling in your throat, or hives.
Call your doctor if:
- You have a high fever or behavior changes that concern you.
- You have questions or concerns about the shingles vaccine.
Apply a warm compress
to the area to relieve swelling and pain. If you develop a chickenpox-like rash near the injection site, cover the rash until it goes away.
Follow up with your healthcare provider as directed:
Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
Further information
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