Tag Archives: shingles

Are you older than 50? Get your Shingrix!

Posted on March 11, 2019 by drlesliegreenberg

Are you older than 50?  Get your Shingrix! What is Shingrix?  It is the “new” shingles vaccine.  Shingrix, also called recombinant zoster vaccine, is a rockstar of vaccines. It decreases shingles infections For those 50-59 years, Shingrix decreases shingles by … Continue reading →

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Shingles?! Prevention and management.

Posted on March 20, 2018 by drlesliegreenberg

Shingles?! Prevention and management.    Shingles is also called herpes zoster and it is caused by the reaction of the chickenpox virus (aka varicella zoster virus).  One million cases of shingles occur annually in the US.  We each have an … Continue reading →

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There is a new shingles vaccine in town… and it’s great!

Posted on November 9, 2017 by drlesliegreenberg

Theres a new shingles vaccine in town… and it’s great!  The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)– the guru organization regarding immunizations– has just voted to recommend preferential use of a NEW shingles vaccine (Shingrix) instead of the currently available … Continue reading →

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Shingles pain relief

Posted on July 19, 2016 by drlesliegreenberg

There are a “Big Three” of shingles treatment: antivirals, rest, and pain management.  At a recent American Academy of Dermatology meeting treatment of shingles was discussed.  The Big 3 will help halt the progression of the disease and decrease viral … Continue reading →

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How long does the shingles vaccine stay effective?

Posted on February 15, 2016 by drlesliegreenberg

… that depends on your health history. If you have an autoimmune disease, the protection against the shingles infection wanes about 5 years after receiving the shingles vaccine.  The most common autoimmune diseases in this research project was rheumatoid arthritis … Continue reading →

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In what AGE patient is the shingles vaccine the most cost effective?

Posted on February 3, 2014 by drlesliegreenberg

Because the effectiveness of the shingles vaccine appears to decrease over time it is suggested that the vaccine be given once… after age 60. This is based on the Long-term Persistence Study done by the pharmaceutical company Merck.  The study … Continue reading →

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Want to prevent shingles?

Posted on December 10, 2013 by drlesliegreenberg

What is shingles?  It is reactivation of latent herpes zoster virus–meaning you’ve had chicken pox in the past and your body holds onto the virus to then let it reactivate.  As we age or as our immune systems becomes weaker, … Continue reading →

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Shingles vaccine rebate!

Posted on February 28, 2012 by drlesliegreenberg

The shingles vaccine, Zostavax, can have a pricey out-of-pocket co-pay.  The vaccine maker is offering up to $140 to reimburse the patient for that out-of-pocket payment. If you are older than 60, have had chicken pox, and have NOT been … Continue reading →

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Update: post-herpetic neuralgia

Posted on November 15, 2011 by drlesliegreenberg

A better phrase for this is post-herpes (shingles) nerve-pain. Awful. Unrelenting. Who gets this? How to make it better? The main risk factor for postherpetic neuralgia is increasing age. People under 50 have long-term pain rarely. Those who are 60-65 … Continue reading →

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What to do if you think you have shingles. . .

Posted on April 21, 2011 by drlesliegreenberg

If you’ve had chicken pox, the herpesvirus is hibernating in your body.  It can reactivate anytime and cause shingles.   Shingles is a painful , itchy, burning, bugs-under-your-skin-feeling rash on one side of the body.  See your doctor for confirmation. The goals of antiviral therapy are … Continue reading →

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