2018 WELLNESS
MAGAZINE

Reduce your risk from shingles

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[February 26, 2018]  In the U.S, one out of three people will develop shingles during their lifetime. Shingles (also called herpes zoster) is a painful skin rash. Shingles can also lead to severe nerve pain which can last months or for years after the skin rash disappears.

Shingles is caused by a virus known as varicella zoster, which is the same virus that causes chicken pox. Anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles and it most commonly occurs in people over age 60. People with weakened immune systems are also at greater risk.

Fortunately, there is a vaccine available that works by helping your immune system keep the shingles virus in check. The sooner you get vaccinated, the better your chances of protecting yourself from getting shingles in the future. The vaccine is not intended to be used as a treatment method for nerve pain to individuals who already have shingles.

The vaccine is approved to help prevent shingles for people age 50 or older. For people with weakened immune systems, it is recommended to see their doctor to see if it is safe to receive the vaccine.

If you have shingles, avoid touching the rash and keep it covered. Until the rash crusts over, avoid contact with pregnant women who are not protected from chicken pox, and stay away from premature infants and people with weakened immune systems.

The vaccine is available at the Logan County Department of Public Health and is covered under Medicare Part D. For more information regarding shingles and the vaccine, you can contact the health department at 217-735-2317.

[Logan County Department of Public Health/LDN]

Information Source: CDC

Read all the articles in our new
2018 WELLNESS MAGAZINE

Title
CLICK ON TITLES TO GO TO PAGES
Page
SHIFTING TO WELLNESS IN 2018 4
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM INFLUENZA 6
WHO IS AT RISK FOR HEPATITIS C 8
REDUCE YOUR RISK FROM SHINGLES 10
FIT TEST CAN HELP DETECT COLON CANCER 11
RECOVERING AFTER A HOSPITAL STAY 12

 

OSTEOPOROSIS:  A DIFFERENT WAY TO LOOK AT THE LEADING CAUSE 14
QUINOA:  THE COMPLETE PROTEIN WHOLE GRAIN 17
THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT PROMOTES SAFE DRINKING WATER 19
LOVE FACES ALZHEIMER'S, ALZHEIMER'S FACES LOVE 21
OVER 50 AND BETTER THAN EVERY - THE LINCOLN PARK DISTRICT 25
HEARING TECH:  IT AIN'T LIKE GRANDPA'S HEARING AID 31

 

HAND THERAPY AVAILABLE LOCALLY 34
SIU CENTER FOR FAMILY MEDICINE OFFERING MEDICAL AND DENTAL SERVICES IN LINCOLN 35
2018 COMMUNITY WELLNESS EXPO OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF HEALTH RESOURCES TO EVERY AGE 36
FIFTH GRADE STUDENTS ENGAGE IN ACTIVE HEALTH, SAFETY AND FITNESS LEARNING AT 2018 CHILDREN'S WELLNESS EXPO 49
SATURDAY MORNINGS IN THE GROWING SEASON MEANS FRESH LOCAL FOODS AND FUN 62
FITNESS AND RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES.  WHAT IS THERE TO DO AND WHERE IS IT? 64

 

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