Patient/caregiver was educated on measures to prevent shingles activation as follows:
- Active blistering chickenpox or shingles rash can be a serious risk factor spreading the virus to others, especially to persons with poor immunity. Individuals contacting such rash can be exposed to the virus and present with chickenpox. Quarantine or isolate any persons in the family and friends with chickenpox infection or shingles activation. Isolation of infected persons can help others in the family and community from contacting the infection.
- Encourage compliance with chickenpox vaccination schedule for all the members in the family. Vaccine for chickenpox is on the routine vaccine schedule received during childhood. Any adults who have not received this vaccine are eligible to receive the same, which can significantly reduce the risk for contacting the disease, shorten the duration of infection, and reduce the severity & complications associated with chickenpox.
- Zostavax and Shingrix are vaccines available in the market, helping to reduce the risk for contacting shingles, shorten the duration of viral activation, and reduce the severity & complications associated with shingles. Zostavax is administered as a single shot and Shingrix is administered as two shots, two to six months apart and they offer protection against shingles for a span 4 – 5 years. Senior citizens must observe compliance with receiving shot for shingles, as scheduled.
