Covid & Shingles is there a link?

Now I'm 70, it was recommended I have a Shingles jab. (For the first time I've noticed Shingles ads on TV!) So that was last week's trip to surgery.
Covid & flu jabs next week.

Presumably you DH went to the gp to get antivirals for his shingles. Wouldn't the gp have spotted the coincidence/connection? Xx

kittylester

Presumably you DH went to the gp to get antivirals for his shingles. Wouldn't the gp have spotted the coincidence/connection? Xx

Go to the GP? Noooo, it was a telephone appointment followed by a photo and then discuss with a nurse.

But, it would be logged as would the covid jab.

Shingles and covid are each caused by virus. Not the same virus though.

Different viruses/different diseases/ different symptoms,

Interesting thought because they have really been pushing the shingles vaccine here over the last few months. Perhaps the Covid vaccine weakens immunity to the chicken pox virus ? Not that they would tell anyone…

Caleo

Shingles and covid are each caused by virus. Not the same virus though.

Different viruses/different diseases/ different symptoms,

Not caused by the vaccine but some sort of immune response or immune suppression that allows the virus to be reactivated. There have been studies as I said.

nanna8

Interesting thought because they have really been pushing the shingles vaccine here over the last few months. Perhaps the Covid vaccine weakens immunity to the chicken pox virus ? Not that they would tell anyone…

Good point

Can you link the studies please Daisymae?

Perhaps the Covid vaccine weakens immunity to the chicken pox virus ?

Come on now. And how would that work then? Any ideas?

Some days I really try to be nice then something like this comes up. This is how fake news starts.

Absolutely agree, volver.

nanna8

Interesting thought because they have really been pushing the shingles vaccine here over the last few months. Perhaps the Covid vaccine weakens immunity to the chicken pox virus ? Not that they would tell anyone…

That was my first thought. The immune system is so complicated. I hope it doesn’t put anyone off having the shingles vaccine. I, thankfully, have never had shingles but I know people that have and it’s a horrible thing to suffer from. My mum and one of my dearest friends never really got over it. I can only stress what others have said: if you think you may have shingles get aciclovir asap.

volver

^Perhaps the Covid vaccine weakens immunity to the chicken pox virus ?^

Come on now. And how would that work then? Any ideas?

Some days I really try to be nice then something like this comes up. This is how fake news starts.

You should look up and read some of the studies from Austrailia, Italy, Israel.

Thanks Mapleleaf

My husband had shingles a few months ago. No anti virals, nothing. Under doctor's orders. He got better.

You should look up and read some of the studies from Australia, Italy, Israel.

I will. Got any links? Do they say that the COVID vaccine weakens immunity to the chicken pox virus?

Weakens immunity all round.

The vaccine weakens immunity?

Really?

volver

Thanks Mapleleaf

My husband had shingles a few months ago. No anti virals, nothing. Under doctor's orders. He got better.

My mum died soon afterwards. My friend developed Alzheimer’s*And died within 2 years.
*and research has shown a link between shingles and Alzheimer’s albeit a small one. I didn’t want to actually say that because I didn’t want to scare people. But after what happened to my friend I made sure I had a shingles vaccine. At the doctors we kept aciclovir on the shelf at all times even though it was very expensive so our patients could start the course immediately.

I'm not being rude volver when I say I wont be answering you. Your welcome to put your opinions to me in a pm and I will answer you.
But I dont want to derail this thread or any other with a tit for tat spat
(I'm a poet and I didnt know it)

Your = you're

You only get shingles if you've previously had chickenpox. Virus lies dormant for years but can be reactivated by eg stress. Getting Covid, or even a vaccine is a type of stress to the body so in some people could be a trigger for shingles.

No direct connection and certainly not a reason to avoid being vaccinated against Covid. However, if shingles vaccine is offered- take it!

volver. Can I just say I think it’s irresponsible of you to try to stop people taking shingles seriously.

Namsnanny

I'm not being rude volver when I say I wont be answering you. Your welcome to put your opinions to me in a pm and I will answer you.
But I dont want to derail this thread or any other with a tit for tat spat
(I'm a poet and I didnt know it)

Fair enough.

If we are having a thread about how Covid may impact shingles, and someone says that the Covid vaccine might make weaken immunity to the chicken pox virus, then I expect some kind of proof of that claim or hypothesis based on tests. Because someone might see that claim and decide on the strength of that, not to have the Covid vaccine.

But you are, of course, entirely entitled not to give any scientific proof on a Social Media site. Then we'll just have to think it's based entirely on conjecture.

I don't generally do PMs when public health is being discussed.

MayBee70

volver. Can I just say I think it’s irresponsible of you to try to stop people taking shingles seriously.

Can I say it's irresponsible to tell people to take a medicine that they might to be suited to?