Shingles or herpes zoster is a very painful skin rash that is actually caused from the same virus that causes chicken pox.

Once a person develops chicken pox, it stays dormant in their bodies indefinitely. Shingles starts as a painful rash that develops into blisters. These blisters will then scab over and it usually takes about two to four weeks for them to go away. This condition is extremely painful and usually occurs when the immune system is weakened.

There is a Shingles Vaccination that is available to those who are over the age of sixty. It is a good idea to be vaccinated if you have ever experienced this ailment.

Zostavax is the vaccination that is available to prevent Shingles. It has a good success ratio and there are not a lot of side effects to worry about. One may experience a mild rash or soreness around the shot area, but these are minor effects compared to the symptoms of Shingles.

There are some people who should not have this vaccine including those with HIV/AIDS with T cell counts under 200, women who may be pregnant, people with weakened immune symptoms from diseases such as cancer and those who are prone to severe and life threatening reactions.

Studies show that the Shingles Vaccination can protect against this condition for at least six years and maybe even longer. After having the vaccine, a person is not contagious and cannot spread the chicken pox to others. Although they are being injected with a small amount of the virus, patients cannot spread this disease to others.

The vaccine is recommended for senior citizens because the chances of developing this condition are greatly increased as one grows older. A person who has experienced Shingles should still consider getting the vaccination because it can prevent them from enduring future outbreaks.

It is highly recommended to have the Shingles Vaccination if you have developed this condition in the past or if there is a history of this affliction on your family. The older a person is, the worse the disease can affect them.

Many insurance companies will cover the costs of this vaccination and Medicare Part D covers it as well. It can most definitely prevent future outbreaks and one can receive more information by speaking to their physician. A physician can also determine who are the best candidates or receiving this vaccination.