In the United States, around one in three people will get shingles at some point in their lives. The risk of getting shingles grows as people age, so shingles is most common in the senior population.
Atlanta is a comfortable area to live as a senior, especially if an assisted living or memory care community such as Heartis Buckhead is needed. Despite this, many seniors in all types of living situations in the city experience shingles, and a lot of pain and suffering as a result.
If you want to prevent shingles in yourself or in a loved one, getting a vaccine is well worth your consideration. In this senior immunization guide, we'll tell you what you should know about the shingles vaccine for seniors in Atlanta, GA.
Common in seniors, shingles is a skin condition that can result from the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that leads to chickenpox.
If you had chickenpox at some point in your life, either as a child or as an adult, then the varicella-zoster virus will remain in your body, seemingly inactive. Years or decades later, the virus can reactivate and cause the skin condition known as shingles. Shingles usually looks like a rash at first, but then progresses into the appearance of blisters filled with fluid.
Shingles is incredibly painful and can cause quite a bit of physical distress to those who have it. The blisters will eventually scab over within seven to 10 days, but shingles will typically last anywhere from three to five weeks altogether.
The virus that causes shingles is also contagious upon contact, so it's important to keep this in mind, especially if you're living close to others in an upscale senior living community.
In some cases, complications can occur. While fewer than 100 people die from shingles on an annual basis, many more will require a hospital visit due to complications. The most common shingles complication is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), according to the CDC. With PHN, severe pain will occur in the same location as the shingles rash.
Regardless of complications, getting shingles is an unpleasant experience, and getting treatment is essential if you get it. Alternatively, getting a vaccine for shingles prevention is a good idea if you want to avoid shingles and its symptoms in the first place.
While someone of any age can experience shingles, the condition most commonly occurs in seniors who are over the age of 50. Seniors are most at risk and this is why getting a vaccine and being mindful of the condition is so important in senior communities.
Also, keep in mind that shingles occurs only after you've already had chickenpox at some point in your life. If you've both had chickenpox and you're a senior, then you're most at risk. Since the immune system decreases in effectiveness as a person ages, shingles can become more likely to occur.
You'll also be more at risk if you have illnesses that can cause your immune system to be particularly weak, such as cancer. Similarly, if you're undergoing certain treatments or taking certain medications that compromise your immune system, you'll have an even greater risk of developing shingles.
By working to keep your immune system strong, shingles will be less likely to contract shingles. However, the best protection comes from getting the shingles vaccine.
If you're over the age of 50, take these assisted living health tips seriously and discuss the shingles vaccine with your doctor.
Getting a shingles vaccine can help protect you from shingles and significantly reduce your risk of getting it. The SHINGRIX vaccine has been shown to be 90% effective at preventing the occurrence of shingles in seniors. The vaccine requires two doses.
While immune systems vary and age is a factor, the vaccine can provide you with protection for a decade or more, before beginning to lose a significant amount of its efficacy. Compared to getting shingles, the discomfort that the shingles vaccine may cause in the form of side effects is pretty mild. You may experience:
Overall, however, getting the vaccine can be well worth it for protecting yourself and avoiding the pain that shingles can cause. The prevention of shingles can allow you to live a better quality of life as a senior. You can keep enjoying your lifestyle and participating in senior aging and wellness activities, if you plan ahead and avoid getting shingles through the help of the vaccine.
If you do end up getting shingles before you're able to get a vaccine, be sure that you take action. While living in a comfortable senior apartment can help ease your burden, seeing a medical professional is key. They'll help give you the guidance you need to manage the symptoms effectively and potentially prevent them from lasting longer than necessary.
Addressing the symptoms will be key, but antiviral medications may also be recommended to ensure a quick recovery. Keep in mind that it's especially important to see a medical professional if you have a compromised immune system or if you're 60 or older.
By taking action and dealing with the illness as quickly as you can and by seeking professional help, you'll have an easier time recovering and will minimize the impact of shingles on your life as a senior.
If you want to avoid the significant pain associated with shingles, the shingles vaccine is one of the top adult vaccine recommendations. Because seniors are more at risk, the shingles vaccine is well worth considering and could help you avoid the painful condition altogether.
If you're looking for an assisted living or memory care community for yourself or a loved one in Atlanta, consider Heartis Buckhead. With excellent amenities, comfortable and spacious floor plans, and a variety of senior services, we can help meet your needs.
Ready to learn more about Atlanta senior living? Contact us today to learn more about what Heartis Buckhead has to offer.