If you experienced chickenpox in your younger years, your body defended itself against the virus known as varicella-zoster. Shingrix prevents the varicella-zoster virus from activating within your body and the further health issues that come with shingles. Furthermore, it is more than 90 percent successful with at least a 7-year immunity span.
If you or a loved one are wondering if the Shingrix vaccine could work for you, come by and speak to our elite healthcare staff at Palm Harbor Pharmacy.
**If you are dealing with a weakened immune system, Shingrix is highly effective in preventing shingles.
About the Varicella-Zoster
Once a person has had the varicella-zoster virus, it remains dormant inside specific cells within your spinal cord. Unfortunately, it can become activated when you reach old age. Roughly half the shingles cases in the United States occur in patients over 50.
The activation cause is unknown but seems to correlate with times of stress. Here at Palm Harbor Pharmacy, we know how important it is to practice preventative measures so that you can stay feeling healthy– thus avoiding the complicated symptoms of shingles.
Symptoms of Shingles
Once the dormant virus becomes activated within nervous tissues near your brain and spinal cord, it branches out. It affects nervous pathways that become inflamed and cause severe discomfort and pain. This infection can lead to painful rashes in high nerve tissue areas, such as your torso or face.
**See your provider immediately if you have pain and inflammation near your eyes, as this can cause permanent eye damage.
During the onset of shingles, there are early symptoms that appear and more severe ones that follow. It’s essential to be able to recognize these symptoms and take medical action to get you back to your healthiest self.
Early shingles symptoms may include:
- Fever with chills
- Headaches
- Tiredness or drowsiness
- Light sensitivity
- Upset stomach
Symptoms that follow the early signs are:
- Itching, tingling, or burning in a specific area of your skin
- Redness or blistering in affected areas
- Mild to more severe pain associated with rashes
Therefore, if you have had shingles in the past, Shingrix works to prevent any future occurrences.
How Shingrix Works
Shingrix is highly effective in giving protection against the varicella-zoster virus. It stimulates your immune response system by introducing fragmented virus cells to your body through vaccination. Doing so creates a sustained immune response that defends against that specific virus invading your body in the future.
When a virus enters your body, it has surface proteins called antigens. These antigens are what the immune system recognizes and then calls for antibodies. Antibodies give the ability to defend against a specific antigen that they can bind with and destroy. By introducing these antigens through vaccination, our immune system builds antibodies that stay in our body, ready to protect against a similar infection.
Anytime that specific virus tries to attack you after having received the vaccine, it can now easily associate the invader with the appropriate immune response.
All-in-all, it is imperative to take a preventative step and save yourself from future discomfort and more serious medical issues by getting Shingrix today. Our main goal at Palm Harbor Pharmacy is to get you back to being healthy and comfortable– and keep you there!
Common Side Effects of Shingrix
Once you have received your Shingrix vaccine, you may experience a few mild side effects. These temporary symptoms may last between 2 to 3 days. Side effects appear to be more common in younger age groups.
Side effects of Shingrix may include:
- Tenderness in the arm where the vaccine was administered
- Some redness or swelling
- Muscle pain and headaches
- Fever associated with chills and shivering
Often, these side effects are alleviated with over-the-counter pain management medications such as Ibuprofen. If they persist, make sure to communicate this with your provider as well as your trusted pharmacist.
Palm Harbor Pharmacy Dedicates Ourselves to Your Well-Being
Here at Palm Harbor Pharmacy, our team of medical specialists devotes their time and energy to prioritize your healthcare needs. We proudly offer the Shingrix vaccine to ensure you keep living a comfortable, healthy life.
Call our courteous and professional staff today, or book online for your convenience.