Re: I messed up! ...and had the Shingles Vaccination

[Guest guest]

Get back to your gp and have them monitor you.  Ask them what you should do. I

wouldn't play around with this. I would definately consult my gp or rheumy!

[Guest guest]

Hi Becky,

Deep breath. You will probably be fine.

The risk: a vaccine stimulates an immune response. Someone with a suppressed

immune system cannot properly respond to the vaccine. The risk is that your body

cannot stop the virus from multiplying which means you could have a serious

infection.

What you should do: Watch for signs of infection. If you develop fever,

blisters, aches, and pain, go to your doctor immediately.

You probably will be ok b/c you have been exposed to your coworkers. It is

possible the amount of antibody against the virus you already have will be

sufficient to keep this virus in check.

Note: Shingles IS contagious. It is a live shedding of the chicken pox virus and

someone who had not had chicken pox is at risk of getting infected. However if

you have previously had chicken pox, you cannot catch it from someone else.

Shingles is usually a resurgence of one's OWN chicken pox virus - the virus

lives [hiding] in the body with the immune system keeping it in check. The

benefit of the shingles vaccine is that we are not being routinely exposed to

chicken pox to remind our bodies to keep it in check (our kids are being

vaccinated). This is why there is a benefit to the vaccine - it reminds the

immune system to stay vigilant against the virus.

Shingles is typically seen in individuals who are having their immune system

stressed - they have been ill, they are stressed out, etc. Also as the body's

natural antibodies decrease over time, the hiding virus comes out to wreak

havoc.

Becky- keep calm and relaxed. Try to avoid catching any bugs for the next week

or so (be diligent with hand washing, etc) and get plenty of rest.

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