Thread: Woe is me!

Originally Posted by Eevo

i had chicken pox as a kid.
is getting the chicken pox vaccine now any help to me?

If you had chicken pox as a child you are at risk of shingles. Getting revaccinated now is supposed to be worthwhile, although I was revaccinated two years ago. The revaccination is supposed to reduce the severity of attacks, even if it does not prevent them. If you are over fifty the cost is subsidised the same as for children. Otherwise it is expensive.

There is some evidence that shingles is on the increase, as older people used to be regularly reinfected by their children and grandchildren, boosting their immune defence against the virus, but with children being vaccinated for chicken pox, and hence not shedding virus, this is less of a factor.

Yes, this is another good reason why children should be vaccinated, to stop them spreading various diseases, including chicken pox. The elderly are particularly at risk. I think anti-vaxers are putting us all at risk by refusing to act responsibly.

Sorry to hear John. Hope you're on the improve soon.

Sorry to hear you've got that John. I've got a few 'issues' and my GP told me to get vaccinated because for me to get shingles would be an 'absolute game changer' I'd never heard that term before, but thought to take her advise. My fingers are still crossed. Good luck getting over it.
Don.

Oh man, hope you get off with a light dose. I copped it in the face about 4 years ago, aged 39, work stress related they think. Almost lost the sight in the left eye as it was on my optic nerve branch.

The left side of my face, left side of upper lip and cheek are still numb/pins and needles 4 years later.

I can honestly say I have never been close to as sick as that in my life, I was laid up unable to keep food or water down for 4 days, on the brink of hospital admission if I couldn't keep anything down on the 4th day. Luckily was able to so stayed out of hospital and bed ridden at home instead. It was weeks before I was strong enough to walk, months before anything close to normality and even now, 4 years later still have the pain/numbness and nerve flare ups if I'm tired or run down.

I used to be a very fit mountain biker, raced etc, and have never been able to get back close to the level of fitness I had, If I up my training to where it needs to be it flares up so I have to back off again.

Sure sucks.

Speedy recovery to you mate.

Originally Posted by Eevo

i had chicken pox as a kid.
is getting the chicken pox vaccine now any help to me?

Vaccination can only help to build your resistance and reduce recovery time if you do get it. I grab every vaccination opportunity I can.

Originally Posted by JDNSW

If you are over fifty the cost is subsidised the same as for children. Otherwise it is expensive.

Unless the rules have changed since last winter, the start date for the free vaccine is 70, otherwise about $220 plus the doctor visit. I paid the money, not wanting to wait the short time until I was 70.

You are right - according to National Immunisation Program Schedule | Australian Government Department of Health it is seventy.