The link between the flu shot and shingles is purely coincidental, as shingles is caused by a virus. It is said that up to 50% of adults will have shingles (in other words: it is common). The flu shot is common, also, and there is no cause-and-effect link. If you have certain conditions, however, the virus that causes shingles can be "reactivated" in your body by a vaccination (if you were exposed to the virus previously). See below for more information.
I'm not sure if you read this specific thread, as it contains all the information you need to know: https://www.empowher.com/community/ask/can-flu-shot-lead-shingles?page=1
"Shingles is caused by the Herpes zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a case of chickenpox, the virus lies dormant, often for decades. The reasons it reactivates are not entirely known, though aging and weakened immune systems are often cited. Some medical reference sites list statistics that suggest for people who live to age 85, 50% will experience shingles in a lifetime. So it's certainly possible that the timing was coincidence only.
Once the shingles virus is activated, it travels along the pathways of a nerve until it reaches the skin's surface, where it ultimately results in very painful blisters.
I also found no documented connection between flu shots and shingles. One interesting thing, however, is the caution that people who have had Guillain-Barre syndrome should consult with a doctor before deciding to get a flu shot. Guillain-Barre is an inflammation of the nerves associated with a number of viruses, including the herpes zoster virus. Both have auto-immune connections and nerve connections."
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The link between the flu shot and shingles is purely coincidental, as shingles is caused by a virus. It is said that up to 50% of adults will have shingles (in other words: it is common). The flu shot is common, also, and there is no cause-and-effect link. If you have certain conditions, however, the virus that causes shingles can be "reactivated" in your body by a vaccination (if you were exposed to the virus previously). See below for more information.
I'm not sure if you read this specific thread, as it contains all the information you need to know: https://www.empowher.com/community/ask/can-flu-shot-lead-shingles?page=1
"Shingles is caused by the Herpes zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a case of chickenpox, the virus lies dormant, often for decades. The reasons it reactivates are not entirely known, though aging and weakened immune systems are often cited. Some medical reference sites list statistics that suggest for people who live to age 85, 50% will experience shingles in a lifetime. So it's certainly possible that the timing was coincidence only.
Once the shingles virus is activated, it travels along the pathways of a nerve until it reaches the skin's surface, where it ultimately results in very painful blisters.
I also found no documented connection between flu shots and shingles. One interesting thing, however, is the caution that people who have had Guillain-Barre syndrome should consult with a doctor before deciding to get a flu shot. Guillain-Barre is an inflammation of the nerves associated with a number of viruses, including the herpes zoster virus. Both have auto-immune connections and nerve connections."
October 24, 2010 - 12:16pmThis Comment
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