Vaccination Against Shingles Virus Infection

Herpes Zoster Vaccine Prevents Painful Rash & Postherpetic Neuralgia

Oct 26, 2009 Tami Port

Shingles, a painful infectious rash, is caused by the varicella zoster herpes virus. Vaccination can prevent the disease, and reduce discomfort if infection occurs.

Chickenpox (varicella) and shingles (zoster) are both caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), otherwise known as Herpesvirus 3. Infection begins when VZV enters the body through the respiratory tract or the mucous membrane of the eye. It then multiplies within the cells initially infected, and then travels throughout the body, via the bloodstream, ultimately taking up permanent residence in nerve cells; a hidden virus that can reemerge as a painful rash in those with suppressed immune function.

Chickenpox First, Then Shingles May Follow

When a person initially contracts the varicella zoster virus, infection manifests as chickenpox, itchy lesions all over the skin, and sometimes mucous membranes. Like other herpesviruses, infection is permanent, and symptoms intermittent.

After initial infection, the VZV goes dormant, forgotten but not gone. The virus hides in sensory nerves, and may become active again if the immune system becomes suppressed due to illness, stress and aging.

The virus can reemerge, later in life, as shingles, an extremely painful rash that develops along infected nerves. The rash is usually localized to one side of the body, in the region of the virally-inhabited nerve. Outbreaks typically lasts a week to ten days, however, some people who develop shingles continue to experience pain even after the rash clears, a condition known as post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN).

Although shingles can occur at any age, every year, of the 500,000 who develop the rash, most are seniors 60 years or older. And the older a person is, the more severe the effects of a shingles outbreak can be.

Efficacy and Side Effects of the Herpes Zoster Vaccine

Zostavax, approved in 2006, is the vaccine currently used to prevent shingles. It is a one time vaccine indicated for use in people 60 years and older. The vaccine is attenuated, made with a live, but weakened, varicella zoster virus. Side effects are mainly mild and include headache and redness, soreness, swelling or irritation at the injection site.

Clinical trials of Zostavax demonstrated that the vaccine reduced the risk of shingles by about half, and the risk of post-herpetic neuralgia by 67%, with highest efficacy in people age 60-69 years. The vaccine is even recommended for those who have had shingles outbreaks in the past, as vaccination can help boost immunity to the virus. But as with all vaccines, Zostavax is a preventative measure that will not treat an active shingles infection, but will help to prevent future outbreaks.

Not Everyone Should Get the Shingles Vaccine

People who should not get the shingles vaccine include:

Those with life-threatening allergic reaction to gelatin or the antibiotic neomycin.
Anyone who has a severe allergy to any component of the vaccine.
Immune compromised individuals, such as those with blood or bone cancer; HIV/AIDS who have T-cell counts below 200; people being treated with immune suppressing drugs and pregnant women.

What Is the Difference Between the Shingles and Chickenpox Vaccines?

Since both shingles and chickenpox are infectious rashes caused by the same virus, it would seem that only one type of vaccine would be required. However, the shingles (zoster) vaccine is made with a higher concentration of the attenuated viruses, and is therefore stronger than the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine.

People who have been vaccinated against chickenpox may still get shingles, but typically experience a milder outbreak. Any VZV vaccination, in effect, reminds the immune system to suppress the virus, and, for most, decreases the likelihood of an uncomfortable outbreak.

Sources

Centers for Disease Control (2009) Herpes Zoster Vaccine Q & A.

National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (2009) Facts about Chickenpox and Shingles for Adults.

The copyright of the article Vaccination Against Shingles Virus Infection in Microbiology is owned by Tami Port. Permission to republish Vaccination Against Shingles Virus Infection in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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