I run a UK based health website and have just responded to a query about usage statistics over the festive period. Interestingly, there was a 51% increase in viewings of articles about shingles on our site. Also a 295% increased interest in 'flu' and 'flu like illness'. It is true that there is no scientific evidence for any link between flu vaccination and re-activation of herpes zoster as shingles. However, it is well known that shingles is more likely to be re-activated in someone whose immune system is (severely) challenged. Take a look a look at this article - it's about the only discussion I can find for any hypothetical connection -> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11103441?ordinalpos=298&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
As I say, it's an interesting hypothesis, but there is currently no scientific evidence.
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Hi,
I run a UK based health website and have just responded to a query about usage statistics over the festive period. Interestingly, there was a 51% increase in viewings of articles about shingles on our site. Also a 295% increased interest in 'flu' and 'flu like illness'. It is true that there is no scientific evidence for any link between flu vaccination and re-activation of herpes zoster as shingles. However, it is well known that shingles is more likely to be re-activated in someone whose immune system is (severely) challenged. Take a look a look at this article - it's about the only discussion I can find for any hypothetical connection -> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11103441?ordinalpos=298&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
As I say, it's an interesting hypothesis, but there is currently no scientific evidence.
Hope that helps,
Gordon
January 6, 2009 - 10:12amThis Comment
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