Here's Why Younger People are Getting Shingles
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- Опубліковано 15 вер 2022
- This has been a wild time for me, but I am feeling much better.
SciShow on Long COVID and other post-infection syndromes: • Is Long COVID Real? Wh...
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Really glad you included a remembrance of Evelyn Nicol. We stand on the shoulders of giants, and if it wasn't for her (and others) work over half a century ago, we may have been in a very different situation today.
Very sad that she passed. I wonder haw many safe and effective jabs she had before succumbing to the disease?
Yes! I was thinking the same.
Absolutely. God Bless her for her hard work. These Are the Champions that need to be taught about in school. Her impact for the good cannot be underestimated. RIP ❤🙏
Ray, it was a lovely gesture. she needs to be celebrated.
not really, if we didn't give kids the chicken pox vaccine they would not be getting shingles. shingles is when your bodies immune system is struggling. Kids should not have struggling immune systems.
When I was 49, I had a long conversation with my physician about shingles and we decided that I should get vaccinated the following year (in Canada, we also generally restrict the vaccine for people who are 50+).
Six weeks later… yep, you guessed it. Within the span of one month, I had resolve a bunch of (public-facing) programming issues with work, work flights to Chicago, Phoenix, Vancouver BC, and we bought a new house. Resolved everything, moved into the house, prepared it for the birth of our second child, and then I took a week off to just settle in. 2-3 days into my vacation, and I got an itch on my right side, radiating from under the armpit to the mid sternum. And a little bit of a rash appeared.
And then, one morning I rolled over and someone had lit a fire on the actual bones of my rib cage, across my collarbone, and up to the base of my neck. The skin was rashy, but the pain was incredible. Before my (then-) current employment, I had been a chef, so I am well aware of how 2nd degree burns hurt.
It was similar; but more intense.
We tried a few different pain management options; but ended up with hydrocodone. The sensation of the pain was still there, but I was too stoned to care overmuch about it. This was my life for about a month.
One thing that Hank didn’t mention is that if you can identify it early in the flare-up, you can take antivirals to reduce the severity *and* duration of the flare-up, instead of just riding it out with high-intensity pain medicine and/or anticonvulsants.
The other thing that Hank didn’t mention is the possibility of repeat flare-ups. Most people have just the one, but sometimes it can repeat itself. The real fun is called zoster sine herpete-basically shingles without the rash. That was how my second (and, hopefully, final) flare-up presented.
Hank, best wishes. I hope that you are one of the 80% that don’t have to deal with any of the complications or recurrences of shingles. I know that you have a somewhat complicated immune system, which is what puts folks like us at a greater risk for ongoing issues from the virus. ✌️
Yikes! That sounds horrific!
I actually didn't know most people don't have shingles recurrences, since my father and grandmother both had it pop up every 5-10 years. Crossing my fingers for both of us that were one and done 😬
Commiserations! When I got shingles my first thought was that I'd been bitten by a dozen spiders. The fatigue was also really bad for almost a month, maybe because I didn't get on meds until ~4 days after the first symptoms. Very early treatment really makes a difference.
My mom was on antivirals for her last two years of her life, s she got shingles in her eye...And without the anti vitals it would constantly flare up. Yes it ruptured her cornea, yes she had two corneal transplants before she died.
My dad had shingles twice. The second time he recognized the symptoms and the treatment kept the symptoms mild.
Shingles saved my life. Wasn't too bad, but got me to a nurse practitioner who discovered I - who never smoked - had lung cancer. Medical science has kept me alive the following years, a wonderful testament to progress in medical science
Were you AROUND 2nd hand smoke?
@@kathleenking47 - the doctors at my cancer center shared that women and people of Asian descent who were never smokers but who were runners are showing up with late-stage lung cancer. It's late-stage because there's no push to scan for it in this population. The location of our cancer sites is different than for smokers - instead of being clustered around the esophagus, it's in various distant locations in the lungs. Also, the specific mutations tend to be different. So, back to your question... Yes, I was exposed to second-hand smoke, as many people are, but not heavily, and that is not the root cause of my outbreak. And I'm not sure how that relates to either singles or long covid. Were you just curious? What drove the question?
@@maprattwow that’s really interesting, I hadn’t really thought of cancer as something that was common in specific groups like that and not just based on family history and lifestyle. Thank you for sharing!!
@@mapratt...why runners?
@@peppyskeptic Runners are outside running, breathing the air, lots of it, deeply. I had also gone back to school to get a degree in vocal performance, and was focusing on my breathing while running, making sure it was as deep and full as possible, to train to have lots of capacity for long passages. We've done a lot to address air pollution but it still exists. One difference between the lung cancer that smokers get and the cancer experienced by runners is that in runners it's not clustered around the esophagus - it's spread more generally around the lungs / farther away. It's also often? usually? a different mutation.
As a child of the sixties when chicken pox came to the neighborhood our parents, unbeknownst to us, made sure we all got it by having us all play together. It was no big deal really. Back then the doctors wanted us to get it early because it's worse when you get older and children rarely had severe cases.
No, your parents were just sadistic …. kidding, same experience & same reasoning.
Actually, part of it is that if you catch it 1st when older it can be far more dangerous. Chicken pox while pregnant can lead to encephalitis, hepatitis, pneumonia and in rare cases death.
@@gr8dvdbefore there was a vaccine, it wasn't "sadistic"
Chicken pox party! That was the vaccine when I was young. We would all get it young and then be good for life. I remember seeing a picture of Brooke Shields and she has a scar on her face from scratching the pox. Mom tied our hands behind our backs if we couldn't stop scratching them.
Years later my BF was exposed to a child with the pox and we found out he had never had it. Right scary as he was 50 years of age.
@@kbaccari88 it was a funny joke. Sorry you missed it
As someone who, like Hank, just got over the Covid + shingles combo, this topic fascinates me. But the video ended in such a sad note! It so sad that this groundbreaking researcher died a week before her 90th birthday from Covid. Thank you Ms Nicol for the work you did so many years ago.
A friend of ours recently got COVID and then shingles around the same time/as he was feeling better. Hmmm...seems there's something there.
@@VianneyCreates exactly what happened to me! And my friend (same age of 48) had the same thing a week before me. There has to be some kind of correlation.
@@kathygardnermsrd876 I’d imagine it is mostly to due with weakened immune systems. We still don’t know what the mid-long term effects of having COVID are, but post illness your body is pretty much always functioning at less than 100%, even if you are feeling better.
I have also heard of several people getting covid then shingles - I was kinda hoping Hank would explain why that seems to be happening a lot!
@@quixiiify I think it just weakens your immune system enough.
I got it after being really sick about 5 years ago, and was also going through a very stressful situation!
It lives dormant in your nerves. From what I understand, it kind of hides there because your body doesn’t want to attack your nerves! When your immune system is down, it has a chance to do its thing!
I have a degenerative joint disease that causes a ton of pain every day-and shingles was worse than that. I was not mentally prepared for just how awful it would be! Glad you’re feeling better Hank!
@♜ᴛᴇʟᴇɢʀᴀᴍ+𝟏 𝟐 𝟔 𝟐 𝟗 𝟓 𝟓 𝟖 𝟗 𝟒 𝟎 Decepticon spotted!
100%. People like us can be TOUGH and still, shingles can be truly horrible.
Does gabapentin help?
@@Nick-iu7ks Yes it does, BUT....you have to build up to the maximum dose needed or it can sedate you big time. My hubby's post shingles neuralgia (PHN) was better but still painful when taking gabapentin. Finally one of our doctors said taking Tramadol combined with Gabapentin has a synergistic effect (1+1=3). That combo worked very well. He still has painful twinges in the area where the nerve was infected which he may have for the rest of his life. I in 3 seniors will get shingles if unvaccinated.
Hank, one of your qualities that I much appreciate is your regular recognition of scientists, doctors, people, who are often unnoticed by history. Later on, in your timeline, you did the same regarding the doctors who made your chemo experience more successful and effective than it would have been 10 or 15 years ago. Whether it's by name or as a group, keep it up.
He failed to recognize the two most important scientists in this conversation, though; Kariko and Weissman.
What is the actual title of this video, "Here's Why Younger People are Getting Shingles."
He doesn't actually explain this, but it's a live virus vaccine.
My husband is 41 and has had shingles TWICE. The second time, he recognized the symptoms and was able to get the antiviral. I tried to get the shingles vaccine, but was denied because I'm too young. But my son is vaccinated, so thank you for the silver lining. ❤
So clueless…so sad
I was born at the end of 1994. I didn't realize I must be one of the oldest people to get a chicken pox vaccine
I was born in early 95 and remember in elementary school there was one year when chicken pox went through the school except that it didn't go through the whole school, just nearly everyone in the grades above me and almost no one in my grade or below. I was too young to appreciate it then, but I like to imagine how amazing that must have been for the teachers and parents to watch.
For real. My husband is 2.5 years younger than me and was right at the right age for the vaccine when it came out. By that time, I had already had chicken pox, and now, at 32, have had my first case of shingles.
Born in '91. I managed to avoid the live virus until the vaccine was available. I'm fairly certain there are some lucky few even older than I who managed the same.
@@CHUCKLZLORD like me! I was born in 83 and was vaccinated when in high school. I got my dad's immune system it seems because he dodged chicken pox until he was in the army. It was NOT a fun time for him to catch it as an adult.
Born 1990, youngest of four. I was the only one who never got it. I had a friend who did though and thought for sure i was going to. I remember telling my mom I was surprised and she told me it was because I got vaccinated for it. I also remember when my mom got shingles and I am so glad I will never have to go through that pain! I felt so bad for her!
Several of my family had shingles post Covid -19 vaccination. It is on the list of adverse reactions. It would be interesting to see the 2019 data compared to the 2021/22 data, post vaccine roll out.
I had a lot of patients get shingles after their vaccine as well. I always wondered why it was not brought up more.
@@christi776 Because people become branded as anti-vax, spreaders of disinformation, right wing nut jobs, Nazis. You get the idea. You gotta stick with the official narrative. Anything else, even the truth, is a lie.
I had this!!! I developed Ramsey Hunt Syndrome as a result:(
I think the uptick in v@@xs is what is causing it. It's obvious.
Yep I know a few people that got shingles after getting the covid vax. It's a common reaction, those who actually read the Prizer documents know it happened to thousands of people in trials and after when it was rolled out.
I got shingles ON MY HEAD when I was 35. (That was 2013) It sprung up after the death of my sister, and leaving my job, and moving internationally with my cat in tow. So _definitely_ brought on by stress. ⚠️
Shingles at 35 is rare, and facial shingles is rare _and_ dangerous. I had most of my lesions on my scalp and neck, but there were two on my face- one VERY close to my eye. My doctor told me that if my eye were to get infected, I could lose my sight in that eye! Plus, the migraines were excruciating!😫
I can't believe that the shingles vaccine STILL has not been made available to people under 50 who have already experienced a case of shingles, because we are much more likely to get it a second time. I swear to god, if I have to go through that again, I might just go to Washington with a full blown case and lobby all over everybody! 😡
My private doctor did a vaccine for shingles. I had to pay for it. ($200) cash. That was 15 years ago. My 40 year old son had it 6 months ago. We caught it in 24 hours thankfully it effected his forehead and quickly recovered
You can ask your doctor to prescribe the vaccine! Not all clinics will fulfill it, but you will be able to find one that can.
I had shingles at 38. The first time I broke isolation during covid. That person was moving abroad the next day so I was sure they already had tested negative. Later in the day they called me and said they had tested positive for covid. I kind of freaked out living by myself, away from family. Ended up not having covid but a pretty resistant case of shingles
My husband got shingles on his face also. It was hell for him
I had it in my late 20's early30's
Had Shingles 5-10 years ago, in my early thirties. It hurt like heck. Mine was on one of my thighs. At the height of it, it felt like someone was stabbing me in the thigh with a knife every few seconds and wearing any fabric over it, or even a breeze blowing over it was excruciating as well. Hope it wasn't as bad as that for you, but either way, hope you recover soon.
Lol, hi Hank, I was in the same urgent care clinic as you when you came in to get treated. I tried to awkwardly tell you how much I love your books, but I was suffering from two burst eardrums and in terrible pain at the time, so I was crying and shaking and acting weird. Hope you're starting to feel better, shingles is(are?) super shitty!! Take care
I hope your ears are feeling better! 🙏
I'm 17 and currently have shingles, I've never known pain like this! Glad to know you're almost over it.
Hope you feel better soon!
Nearly 22, my father got it about 6 years ago. It started to affect his brain and has lost a small but still significant amount of his hand eye coordination. If it had gone on for much longer he would have lost vision in his left eye. Thank goodness I chose to get a degree in veterinary medicine.
I hope you feel better soon! I had it when I was about 25. It was near my waist on my right side, so it was painful and wearing pants was even more painful. I even got a note from my doctor to wear overalls to work in my business casual office.
I got shingles when I was 13, and apparently it is supposed to be less painful when you are younger... Yeah I don't know about that lmao it was so painful. I feel for you my friend I hope to god you feel better soon!
@@noobian458 It may be less painful when youre 13, but its less socially acceptable as 13 yr old to do some dabs or bong hits to make the pain bearable :P
(Not shingles myself, but ive dealt with tooth abscesses most of my 20s due to neglect and houselessness... And those can be absurdly painful as well, thankfully nvr had them on the upper jaw where its worse and riskier; but rly the only thing that i used for the pain was ibuprofen and cannabis. The ibuprofen mostly for helpin slow inflamation more cuz it did little for pain; but THC with a bit of CBD wud always bring that tooth pain from a 6-7 range to a 2-3 range. Wudve had to resort to vicodin or the like for the pain if id dealt with abscesses as a kid or before i started smokin in my 20s.)
When I was in grad school (in my forties), I was in a car accident and got shingles a few days later. I went to the student health center for treatment and the doctor told me that she saw many cases in students much younger than me usually around finals, so she believed that stress triggered shingles. So stress may be one reason why so many younger people are having flareups. I have been vaccinated against shingles so hopefully won't have to go through that again 🤞
I got it right after finals 😭
❤
I guess shingles is better than "died suddenly"
The power to wipe out diseases for the next generation is an underappreciated aspect of vaccinations. People not that much younger than we are never had chickenpox and will never have shingles - that's beautiful!
Kinda very jealous of them. I got chickenpox and saw a family member struggle with shingles. I dread getting shingles too. Get vaccinated!
Yup! I'm 27 and never had it, neither did most of my friends.
I was in one of the first co-horts of girls to be vaccinated against HPV (now they vaccinate boys too). Since HPV is the number one cause of cervical cancer, cervical cancer rates are going to plummet in a few decades. It's amazing that we are effectively vaccinating against cancer!
That's me. I'm 22.
On that note, theres a grt Exurb1a vid, which im prty sure Hank has seen actually, titled "Misery Was" that rly goes into grt depth on the concept of overcomin disease and even expandin our idea of what can be diseases to overcome.
It always leaves me feelin hopeful for the future and proud of how far us hominids have come. Hank's vid reminded me of that vid ofc bcuz Hank made me think of how one day our encyclopedias will read "Shingles was" instd of is. And it is not anywhere near the first disease to have been wassed (was-ed) nor will it be the last by any measure.
Its one more on an evergrowin list that will one day include things we dont think of as diseases today, like misery.
At the age of 29 in 2020 I got shingles and have since suffered from severe Post herpetic neuralgia. I wish this was talked about more.
I'm planning to look that up, but could you explain what that is?
I have heart issues a year later... it beats so fast while just sitting doing nothing.
I got shingles right around age 30. So I'm now a statistic too!
had you taken a flu shot, or the jab?
@@hairrus7278 Found the quack.
Haha it’s fun to see this mentioned. When I was 13 (7 years ago) I developed shingles! As a kid I’d gotten the chickenpox vaccine but contracted chicken pox around a year later anyways. I think my age is rarer for shingles, and even amongst my peers now I’m the odd one out in terms of having contracted chickenpox. In my biology lecture of 200 or so our professor was discussing vaccines and asked how many of us had been vaccinated for chicken pox and we all raised our hands, then she asked how many of us had gotten chicken pox and I was the only person in that room with my hand up. It’s nice to see how far we’ve come 😅
I was really young as well. I was 11 when I got shingles and had chickenpox too.
I had shingles a couple years ago at age 36. I have also had chicken pox twice when I was five and six years old.
My daughter got shingles right after she had her tonsils removed. She was in 6th or 7th grade. That was about 20 years ago.
You can get shingles by having had chickenpox itself.
@@pollypurree1834I can verify this, as it happened to me.
This was one of the most informative and concise videos I’ve seen on UA-cam. Thanks for this.
Props for highlighting Evelyn Nicol, feel like this could easily have turned into (probably was in the past?) a Watson and Crick-type situation where Rosalind Franklin didn't get credit
++++++
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+!
DON'T GET ME STARTED ON WATSON AND CRICK LITERALLY STEALING HER DATA TO FINISH THEIR THEORIES AND TAKING ALL TEH CREDIT AHHHHHH
I got shingles at age 46. I’ve been stressed because my mom died this year and I had to sort through her things before her house goes on sale. She was a hoarder and had an entire room full of boxes of papers, as well as a rat problem. Three weeks of sorting through papers and an international trip back home to Denmark, and then a few weeks later I come down with shingles, and just think it is a heat rash from the weather. I waited too long to treat it, and now of course I am hearing lots about how shingles in young people can be a sign of numerous cancers. Fantastic. Looks like you got shingles not so long before you were diagnosed with cancer as well. Jeeze…. I hope you are well. 🙏🏼
Are you better now?
similar story. Sorting a hoard after a death. Dead animals etc. Caring for another family member and doing it really all by myself.
Woah! I got shingles a few years ago (early twenties) and while it was pretty mild, my doctor was baffled because she had never seen it in anyone my age before! So cool to know that I probably got shingles so young specifically because most everyone born after me won’t.
I had a friend who had shingles in high school.
Now I want to get the vaccine for it.
Glad you're doing better, Hank!
To everyone out there: you do not want to ever get shingles. My father's case was diagnosed too late for an antiviral and he suffered from postherpetic (post-shingles) neuralgia (PHN) for the last few years of his life as he battled the last stages of Alzheimer's. So, he was not only lost in a cloud of dementia, but had to deal with unrelenting pain that he didn't understand. Such a cruel combination. As soon as I was old enough, I got the shingles vaccine.
Funny how making someone suffer is better than euthanasia
😿
my grandmother right now is suffering from the same fate as your father minus the Alzheimer's. my sister at age 27-28 got shingles shortly after having a baby. i tried to get the shingles vaccine but was told no because of my age. its in my list to do when i get 50
May your father rest in peace. 🙏🕊️🌟 I'm sorry to hear he suffered like that. Human mortals, we are all so vulnerable. Take care, i wish you the best of health. 🍎✌️
@@FireChildSlytherin5 could you sus out the shingles jab for your Gma? I get there's a timing factor if she's currently got a case. I tried to sort this for a rello and apparently they have been free of shingles ever since! which is a pretty excellent outcome given i heard it's unbearable. Sorry to hear you couldn't access a preventative even though you had it (interesting that it was brought on by the birth process - have heard of a few things like that in connection with immune system). Wishing your Gma and yourself the best of health. 🍎✌️
Pharmacy technician here: in general, Shingrix (the newer, two dose shingles vaccine) is only available to people 50+ without a prescription from a doctor. Pharmacies have a protocol physician that covers vaccines without a written prescription, which is why you can just walk in for a flu shot. But below 50, people just need a prescription from their doctor and they can get it. The COVID pandemic also expanded on vaccines covered by protocol physicians, meaning that most vaccines don’t need written prescriptions.
I was able to get a script filled, but the pharmacies in my state don’t allow them to administer the vaccine to anyone under 50. I gave up after that in trying to get it. Maybe I will try again next time I see the doc.
See Steve Kirsch on substack for the truth.
I just asked my doctor for the vaccine and my insurance won’t cover it until I’m 50.
@@InfinitelyRay I had to go to the pharmacy in the hospital to get someone to give me the vaccine even though my dr prescribed it. (Also under 50). I had to pay out of pocket since insurance wouldn't cover it.
I'm a pharmacy technician as well and also have had the worst shingles case that my doctor has ever seen. All of the above is true.
Buuut, most doctors are very reluctant to write a prescription if you are under 50 and most insurances won't cover it if you are under 50.
Thank you so much for being there for us as weve grown... I have almost everything you have had. Up to your current cancer fight. You have been a source of strength for me anothers battling chronic illness. Thank you for reaching out to the world for so long. Your touch many MANY lives!!!
You were the first UA-camrs I ever heard of. On cbc radio you were interviewed in 2006. I promptly began watching you and videoing as well. Thanks for that. You don’t look 17 years older, btw.
I’m glad you’re both still here. You have places in my heart. Bless you.
"Long chicken pox." I love it! And, I must say, that was a beautiful tribute to Evelyn Nicol at the end of the video.
Thank you for this informative, interesting video.
Indeed--great tribute to her. History is full of scientists who have not and may never get their rightful dues because they were/are women. I don't mean to start a long debate about that, but merely to say that I am truly delighted when a woman who might otherwise be forgotten or written off is instead respected and honored.
Important note for people under 50 who have weakened immune systems: the CDC recommends the shingles vaccine for you, too! Talk to your doctor about whether you should get it!
Thank you. I have asthma/allergies and permanent sinusitis. My immune system is in constant low-level mutiny...Arrr. Nose she blows!
@♜ᴛᴇʟᴇɢʀᴀᴍ+𝟏 𝟐 𝟔 𝟐 𝟗 𝟓 𝟓 𝟖 𝟗 𝟒 𝟎 Decepticon spotted!
What if I've already had shingles? Does it protect against second shingles? Elevenses? Luncheon?
I think I got a bit mixed up there.
Was just thinking about that.
+
I am here watching this video about shingles and to the right of the video is an ad from a law firm for people that were injured by the Zostavax shingles vaccine and want to file a lawsuit against Merck.
Some people are so lost in the weeds they think they’re in the flowers…. Sigh
I got shingles when I was 21, the doctor was surprised to see me with it. But then when I came back for a follow up they said they had multiple more young people come in with it (it was finals season which would make sense: stress) I was always curious why young people have been getting it more! This makes total sense!
My dad and doctor were baffled when I ended up with it. I was still in elementary... I didn't know about the stress bit until years later and had another thing to worry about when it came to shingles o_O
@@nissaballeza4806 I was 12 when I got them. Everyone was confused
I also had a case when I was in 8th grade(had chicken pox when I was daycare age)! They suspected stress as well and we had a handful of cases in town.
Amusingly, both of my cases happened over Thanksgiving week. They got “lovingly” called turkey pox. 😂
@@RachelSpiess I actually laughed out loud!
It’s from all your previous vaccines
So glad to be one of the first generations to get the chickenpox vaccine! Hope your shingles gets better quickly, Hank!
I'm glad my kid was able to get the chickenpox vaccine. I unfortunately got chickenpox as a kid so I might get shingles later.
And I’m sad that I am part of (hopefully) the last generation that didn’t get vaccinated so I actually got chickenpox twice because I was really young the first time and my immune system wasn’t developed enough to fight it off when I got it again in kindergarten. I also managed to get shingles in 2020 when I was stressed out about the whole pandemic and university.
This is ALL YOUR FAULT!!
@@vlogbrothers the appropriate response, really 😂
Seconded :)
Nice tribute at the end, you are kind and thoughtful 😊
Years back, i had several under-50 friends who got shingles, so I started asking my doc for the shingles vaccine. I was told to wait. I turned 50 in January 2020 and 4 days later I got shingles, which was 9 days before my vaccination appointment. Argh. It was truly awful, my outbreak was on my head and face vice my torso. I still have spots of discoloration on my face.
Had shingles when I was about 12 and oh lord was it annoying and painful. I've still got some scar tissue from it on one side of my ribs (just little dots basically, nothing too major). So, with all the sympathy in the world, I'm glad Hank's feeling better and hope the itchiness goes away soon.
I got shingles when I was 16 in the year 2005. It baffled my mom that I got it when it is usually a condition of the elderly. Turns out, there has been pediatric cases of shingles of those in their mid teens but not as common as elderly patients. It was painful af
One of my classmates had it in elementary school! It was weird and I remeber teachers or whoever saying it was super painful.
My youngest son got shingles in his teen years - the GP was surprised because he was young
I had shingles when I was 16 as well! It was a mild case on my shoulder, but even that small amount gave me nerve pain and sensitivity down my arm. I can't imagine the horrible pain some people get from a large case of shingles.
6th grade I got shingles, I don't really remember how it felt but I definitely remember how it looked
NO It is MOST common still in Unvaccinated elderly people. If such people hear "it's not as common" in the age group, they may put off vaccination. It's partially a miscommunication because it May be that the total group of elderly get it less than young, they STILL get it at a high rate AND that group will include the now-vaccinated elders, bringing the rate for all elders down. The unvaccinated are at serious risk for shingles, higher than you. Says my spouse the geriatrician who is sitting next to me.
Thank you for recognizing Nicol’s work…very much well done..thank you! I appreciate that “shoutout” on sooo many levels! Epidemiology is interesting indeed-I’ve had chicken pox twice as a kid, and 2 months after beating the “Sophomore version” of Covid, I developed Shingles.. I am a few years shy of 50…go figure..🤷🏽♀️🤷🏽♀️😳😬😌
My partner got shingles in his left eye/head area after he got his 2nd Moderna vaccine. It was so stressful and scary because there was a chance that his vision could be affected. After the painful journey a year later, he is still dealing with neuralgia and his eyebrow hasn’t grown back in. He was 26 when he got shingles.
Thank you for making this video to bring more awareness. I will never forget the adversity he faced with incredible itchiness, lack of sleep, unbearable pain my partner faced when I had to take care of him which will be commemorated with his eye scar like Zuko from ATLA.
That happened to a coworker! It was AWFUL. He missed a lot of work because of it. It was by his eye, and on his head.
Safe and effective, Just a coincidence. Get your boosters.
I experienced the Shingles about 3 years ago. It was on my forehead and in my ear, the pain was horrific. When they told me what it was, I responded, "But isn't that something old people get?". The doc corrected me and she said the symptoms can flare up at any time in your life after catching the virus. Apparently if your immune system gets too low for whatever reason, it can come back. Good news, a simple antiviral took it out fast, I had significant relief within 8 hours and gone in 2 weeks.
Antivirals don't work for most people and have to be taken within 72 hours of the very first symptom. Which one did you take?
What is your diet like? Are you overweight or obese?
SAME - but on one side of my trunk
Up until the chickenpox vaccines, it WAS a disease only old people got once their immunse system lost its "memory" of becoming immune to the zoster as happens with children.
I got shingles when I was 7 or 8 and it was HORRIBLE from what I remember!! I had extreme fatigue and at first, my parents thought I was faking it and that my rash was a mosquito bite from being abroad. The doctor told me that I was the youngest case that he had personally seen. I had to wear my dad's t-shirts for a week or so, so that the fabric wouldn't touch my skin as much. I still have sensitive nerves on the area that I had it and I get almost phantom pains of it starting back up, although I only had it once
my son got shingles when he was a preschooler.... he got the chicken pox shot and then a year later he had shingles. The doctor was so amazed they were calling other doctors in to look at him. I hope shingles doesn't hit him again
My daughter got it at five. She had chicken pox at two months old and shingles was a walk in the park compared to that but she got a week off school.
I feel your past pain, I was 3 the first time I got shingles and 4 or 5 the second time I got it. My immune system must've been horrendous back then xD I naturally don't remember much from it, but I remember sitting in the car on the way home from the doctors - I got to sit in the front passenger seat (even though I wasn't legally allowed) because I couldn't have the seat belt on properly because of the pain.
The doctors didn't really know what to do with me either because they've never seen a case that young so all I got was small doses of pain relief and then off I went.
I know I must've had chicken pox, since that's kinda necessary for the fact of me having shingles, but I never had any visible signs or symptoms of it, so until I got shingles my parents were very confused on how I hadn't gotten chicken pox even though there had been multiple cases around me.
Fellow under-55s who have gotten shingles, hello, I offer some advice. I asked my doctor to prescribe the vaccine (Shingrix), and she did. The first pharmacy I took the script to refused to administer, but the one across the street was happy to. It was a huge relief to decrease my odds of shingles reactivating and causing PHN again. Best of luck ❤
I watched this video a couple of months ago. So when I started getting pain a couple of weeks ago I was like ‘what the hell is going on’. Now that same spot, to the left of my spine, is itchy. And this morning I saw the first signs of a rash. Immediately called my doc and she confirmed I should get checked out for shingles. Going in tomorrow morning. Hopefully it’s still early enough for antiviral meds. I knew about shingles, but I had never learned more about it. Thanks to your videos, Hank, I was able to respond quickly and accurately to whatever is going on in my body. Usually I would’ve just ignored the pain and itchiness, but I’m actually able to get better targeted care now. (If it actually turns out to be shingles). Thank you for all these wonderfully insightful videos!
Had chicken pox when I was 6 months old. Later when I was 5 I ended up getting a weird rash that was super painful. Lotion felt like it was burning. Took me to the ER a bunch of doctors looked at me couldn't figure out what it was. Older doctor comes in looks at it and goes look at it as if she was in her 60's. None of the others could understand how I had shingles.
Getting it that young probably means that your response against the primary infection was weak, and partially mediated by the antibodies you got from your mother. Makes sense that you could get shingles early
My daughter was even a younger babe than you when exposed to chickenpox - her pediatrician assured me that she wouldn't get it because she was so young and nursing. She did though, a week or 2 later. It was a mild case, thankfully. However...in kindergarten she had shingles - twice! Now, in her 30s, she still has severe scars from the shingles (on her thigh) and is very concerned about being exposed to the zoster virus to this day. She always has antivirals on hand.
As someone who got shingles at 30, I can confirm how painful it is. I had so much chest pain before the rash showed up that I went to a hospital absolutely sure that I was having a heart attack. Also, the weird looks from people going "But that's an old person disease, and you're so young!" cracked me up every time.
I had it around age 7 or 8 lol
I had it on my left middle back and left middle stomach and I thought someone poured concrete into my lungs that's how painful it was...I thought for sure I had pneumonia or a kidney infection. I don't wish that on anyone...well except maybe one person. 5 bucks if you can guess. Serious guess only haha
YES! I'm 49 and we talked at my last doctor appointment about getting the vaccine at my next appointment. And now I've got shingles. And so far the pain has been the worst. I'm so thankful for a doctor that was able to diagnose shingles before a single rash broke out because it was not even on my radar!
My partner is in his mid 20's and got it this year, manifesting near an eye. There was a week of absolute agony for him before it even started to show. It got so bad that he could barely talk, eat, or drink. Before the rash showed up, we went to the ER (I wasn't allowed in though) and he couldn't really tell them what was happening. They shrugged, gave him a pain shot, told him to go home. Two days later we were back when the rash started and his face started drooping on that side. Soon as they saw him: "Oh, you have shingles. Go to the ophthalmologist and make sure you can keep that eye. Here's some antivirals and a several-thousand dollar bill." Absolutely horrible at every turn, but at least the pain only crops back up sometimes.
I got chicken pox in kindergarten in 1991. I remember being annoyed when I heard about the vaccine a couple of years later that it hadn't been available for me. It still blows my mind that none of our kids have ever had it, and the oldest is in college.
Getting chicken pox (not the vax, the virus) is natural protection against shingles. I witnessed an older relative who never had chicken pox as a child come down with shingles... let me tell you. Be glad you had chicken pox because you'll never have to suffer through shingles :/
Yep same here! I was just a little too early to get the vaccine, I got the chicken pox first.
I didn't know there was a chicken pox vaccine until just now o.o my friend's mom threw a party when her child caught it so we all would catch it except she didn't ask my mum first... That went over well. I think it was around 97/98 but I also live in Canada so it might not have been available here
@@chihauhaun Chicken pox parties were common practice before the vaccine, but to not inform your parents that was what was going on is crazy.
I actually had a really weird case in that the first round of vaccinations I got (not the one that you usually get the chicken pox vaccine yet) I reacted to them incredibly badly. Long story short my parents were advised to only vaccinate me against the diseases that were very dangerous spaced out and to hold off on nonvital vaccinations until I was older. So I ended up contracting chickenpox when I was 3 (basically someone who refused to acknowledge that chickenpox was real sent her kid to a daycare and got several kids, including me, sick too). Still not a big issue but it is a pain to explain that no, I know I shouldn't get the chickenpox vaccine because I got chickenpox and don't want to get shingles (when I was younger that wasn't really that common of knowledge yet, my parents only knew because my uncle who is a doctor warned them about it being a real possibility). Getting vaccinated still sucks for me (I get really under the weather for about 2 weeks after getting any kind of vaccine and getting flu shots makes flu season *far* worse than not getting them at all) but at least most of them now *know* about the primary cause of shingles and don't berate me over refusing a vaccine that I don't need anymore and is far more likely to cause issues than prevent one for me. My brother on the other hand did get the chickenpox vaccine.
I was vaccinated against chickenpox as a child and still got it. Then was forced to get a another chickepox vaccine several years later, even though I already had it. Just saying stuff like what happened to me is a reason why some people are vaccine skeptical.
Vaccine doesn’t stop you from catching it. It lessens your symptoms
No vaccine is 100% efficient, even the best do not work on 1-2% of people because we are all different. No medication can account for our variability. Some people do have gaps in their immune system making them vulnerable to a particular disease or unresponsive to vaccines of a particular type. Also if the vaccine was not preserved in appropriate conditions it may be expired.
I was also vaccinated against chicken pox when I was 15 because I never had chicken pox when I was younger. I’m 43 now and currently have shingles 🫤
Buy and use Emuaid soap and loation for a shingles breakout. My mom got shingles on her face and I went online looking for something that would help her. I found an add for Emuaid soap & loation and dozens of pictures of people with a breakout, and pictures of the same area 3 days after using the product. They were night and day in the difference. My mom ordered both and it helped her tremendously. A few years later when she started to get another breakout she used it again and the breakout stade small.
I got shingles a year and a half ago, at age 24, due to being immunocompromised & constant existential pandemic stress, and it was by far the worst pain I’ve ever experienced in my life 😖 I also must have been one of the last cohorts of children to actually have chickenpox instead of getting the vaccine. So now I live in fear of getting shingles again because boy howdy was it horrible. I hope you are recovering well, Hank. I managed to also get post-shingles neuralgia which was worse than the shingles itself. Terrible disease!!
I had it in June 2020 when I was 21. At first I thought it was just another eczema rash but oh boy it was so much worse. I am really glad though that future generations won’t habe to go through that.
I know he said it was in short supply, but I wonder if they would make an exception in a case like yours and give you the vaccine. Hope you feel better. 👊 Edit: read some other comments and they said immunosuppressed folks can get the vaccine. That's awesome.
My husband and I both had shingles when we were 24 also. Mine was only 2 years ago, around my midsection, his was his eye and head (almost went blind) however I caught it around day 4 thanks to my husband who noticed my rash looked exactly like his. I had basically no pain from my shingles, just super itchy, unlike like my husband did. However we both still have phantom pain in those area.. I've honestly had period cramps worst than my phantom pains. Still both are not pleasant, I cant imagine the pain my husband goes through, he gets his phantom pain in his eyes and around his face.
Great to hear you’re better, I had shingles in June of 2020 and when I realised what it was it was already too late to take antiviral medication so I just had to sit it out and wait. I blame the stress of switching to online university and the uncertainty of the whole pandemic for the outbreak. I basically had an itchy, blistering rash on my right thigh, it took about a month to go away fully. I also had chickenpox twice, once when I was a few months old and apparently my immune system wasn’t developed enough to remember how to fight it so I got it again in kindergarten. It’s pretty wild to think that I am part of the last generation to get chickenpox because even my younger siblings are vaccinated against it.
It's never too late to take Valacyclovir to stop shingles. My sister had the rash 2 weeks and then went to doctor. Valtrex stopped pain within 1 day. But me with my pharmacy degree knowing better...
What else is in it?
Just the Valacyclovir. It stops the viral attack response from the nerve ganglion, which stops the nerve pain and rash. It's definitely a wonder drug.
IT IS IN THE POISON JOBS.....people pl WAKE UP....
In my early sixties, retired no stress I got shingles for three consecutive years. Always in the fall. After some research and review it was apparent I had a shingles outbreak within 2 to 4 weeks of my annual flu shot which I had only started getting at Sixty years old. I know correlation doesn’t prove causation but I haven’t had an outbreak since quitting my flu shot, and no flu either. Use this information as you wish.
Flu shots are poison, same as COVID shots
Interesting. My dad has had shingles for at least the last 5 years and he gets an annual flu shot too. I'll probably get the shingles shot after I do a bit of research. If it's been so bad for my Dad i'm probably prone too for a bad case of it.
Constantly hammering your natural immune system with big pharma's vaccine flavor of the week is probably causing more diseases than it stops. Then they can sell you drugs for your new disease.
Thinking about what Hank says in the video, it’s possible that the Shingle virus takes advantage when your immune system is developing defence against the attenuated virus in the flu vaccine. Good thing you haven’t gotten sick since quitting the shot, though.
Get the shingles vaccine. Then you can get the flu vaccine without triggering a shingles outbreak
I had shingles 28 years ago when I was in my early 30s. On my forehead and went INTO MY EYE! Fortunately, no eye damage. Soooo painful. Glad you are on the mend.
The hilarious part is that I remember chicken pox parties when i was a kid - if one kid came down with it at school, the parents would practically rub their kids all over that kid so that everyone just got it all at once and got it over with, and we'd take turns having sleepovers at different houses so it was just one parent at a time missing a whole day of work.
Ah, the 80s.
I had this in the late 90's also! The vaccine is recent
It might not of been the worst idea. Chicken pox can be worse the older you are when you get it. I had a couple family members who didn't have it til adulthood and it was really severe for them.
Also the 00s, unfortunately 😬
CHICKEN POX PARTY IN THE COMMENTS WOOOOO
EVERYONE GET YER JUICE BOXES AND LET'S WATCH PRINCESS BRIDE!
@@Nenriel That was usually the wisdom behind it, yep. And then I find out about shingles and I'm like, "wait... i thought we did this to *prevent* that!" heh, oops
I got shingles in my first year of college. I was so thankful for the walk in clinic doctor that saw literally one red dot under my right arm and used that + my description of my insanely sensitive skin to diagnose me with shingles. Even though at my age, that was very unlikely. He got me on medication right away and because of that, my outbreak wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been. It was still painful as hell and lasted a month, but it could have been much worse.
are you 🥕?
I've had it twice as a teen
My boyfriend got shingles and his doctor didn't do anything. Didn't even give him medicine. Luckily, it didn't do too much damage just left a michael kors logo on his arm.
I had chicken pox 3 times. My doctor refuses to give me Shingles vaccine early even though I am a very likely person to get shingles. I am 47.
I got shingles when I was 24, and I had it on my left buttcheek so sitting or laying on that side was super painful, and I actually developed postherpathic neuralgia that I have to take daily medication for, so this video was particularly interesting!
Hope you doing well now
What was the cause for your case?
So pleased to see that you're doing better now Hank!
I had chickenpox as a young child and shingles at age 12. No idea why, except stress. It was awful. I don’t remember the rash being so bad but the nerve damage and long term pain was horrendous. Hope you recover well.
I had shingles when I was about 18ish and it was excruciating so I feel you, hope the last bits clear up quickly for you
My spouse and I got our second shingles shot in August. Fingers crossed that we’re protected now. I’ve heard how painful it is.
Thank you for highlighting Evelyn Nicol! I thought the shingles vaccine was 50+ because of the FDA Approval, not supply. That’s the age limit the studies were done on and why it’s indicated for 50+. That needs to change. I know many in their 40s that have had shingles. And it can be devastating as it has the potential to cause facial paralysis (Ramsey Hunt Syndrome).
I believe it's been approved down to age 18 now. That's what the pharmacist told me when I got it at age 38 at least.
Yeah, the lack of supply for Shingrex was an issue in 2018/2019 just after it was approved, but no longer (one can check the CDC.gov site, it's no longer listed as under shortage). I've tried to get the vaccine being under 50, but have been unable to do so, even though I'm willing to pay out pocket. Can't find any pharmacy willing to dispense it.
@@speedocowboy Try getting an Rx from your doctor. That's how I got one.
@@V1per41 I did get a Rx from my doctor, but I couldn't find any pharmacy willing to dispense it (at the time, only pharmacies had the actual vaccine). I'll try it again though, thanks.
I really feel for you. I am also on immunosuppressive meds. I had chicken pox at age three. I had a shingles outbreak at 50. Nothing was ever so painful (until I ruptured a disc. That reset my pain meter.)
I'm 32 and had a shingles outbreak starting at 28. Happens when I get stressed, and I work retail. So it effects me a lot.
I must appreciate Doctor Ani John on UA-cam for helping me and my husband in getting rid of Shingles virus permanently after so many years in pain God sent you to save my family with your natural herbs and roots all thanks to you doctor you are a God sent keep saving lives sir I really appreciate all you have done for me and my family my God bless you richly sir🙏❤️,
@@princessmariam7366
In 2011 I went to a trade school and all the girls under 28 who had received the chicken pox vac had shingles. This is highly unusual and made me wonder way back then.
So I’m curious as to how this virus is entering your body🧐🧐🧐🧐HOW….THINK ABOUT IT
I’m 25 years old and had shingles a few months ago! I thought it mostly occurred in older people and was then shocked to find out another young woman at my office had it at the same time as me! After that it seemed like it was popping up everywhere in young people and I was excited to see a video on this topic, thanks Hank!
Did you get the covid vaccine, it's a common side effect
you know what else every other young person took?
the covid vaccine.
waaaayy more shingles and cancer to come.
good luck. i’ll be shingles and cancer free, 99% certainty.
Global warming is causing this shingles epidemic, no other explanation.
did you get the v, please research, this is the new normal now
Thank you so much for talking about this! When I developed shingles at 19, I was confused and terrified because I had NO IDEA what was happening. Now, I am very worried that a severe case of stress will bring it back. But what upsets me most is people's confusion when I share that I had shingles. They comment on how young I am and thought it only affected much older people. Thank you for spreading awareness!!
Such a great educational video! You did a great job!
You are a fountain of information showering us 😊
I am one of the "lucky" few who have shingles and I was 22 when I got my first case. The pain and itchiness led doctors to believe it was a "bad bug bite" due to my age and took a couple tires before one doctor asked me if I ever had chickenpox. My shingles manifested on my left side, right next to my chicken pox scar. Shingles are very painful and will flare up (for me) in times of stress. The shingles vaccine CAN help you if you have already had shingles. It makes it so the long term nerve damage and rash flare-ups are not as bad. If you are younger than 50 PLEASE talk to your doctor about getting the shingles vaccine if you have a history of high stress or anxiety. And when you get approved for the vaccine: know it's a tough one and to plan to take a couple days off to relax
@♜ᴛᴇʟᴇɢʀᴀᴍ+𝟏 𝟐 𝟔 𝟐 𝟗 𝟓 𝟓 𝟖 𝟗 𝟒 𝟎 Decepticon spotted!
That's funny because when I had shingles my doctor laughed at me (in a kind way) because I thought it was a bad bug bite. And then he asked quite intentionally, "so... did you catch the bug?" To which he knew the answer was that I never saw one. lol
I think my age kept me from being diagnosed too… I was told a laundry list of what it could be (none of them shingles) including Leukemia. Now I have a nice scar on my forehead due to the goop I was prescribed!
@@michaelaNkristin What was the goop and why did it cause a scar?
Thanks for turning this into a learning opportunity for us, Hank. I was in the camp that thought childhood chicken pox prevented you from getting shingles until I saw your tweet thread last week.
++
They wanted us to get chicken pox as children because getting chicken pox for the first time as an adult would be more dangerous.
Thank you Evelen Nicol for all of your hard work.
Hank, hope you feel better soon.🙏👍
I got shingles back in 2019 and it was by far one of the worst experiences I have ever had. I cried myself to sleep multiple times during the week that I had it because the pain was so bad. Glad you’re doing better, Hank!
I had shingles a few years ago (my mid-30's). I went to the doc the very next day after the rash appeared to begin treatment. My case was ultimately on the mild side & was short in duration.
** If you see a weird/unexplainable rash (often on your torso or back), go to your doctor or urgent care THAT SAME DAY to get your meds. Definitely don't try to "wait & see". **
Yes I also went to the doctor super quick and got antivirals so it was a mild case, very relieved about that.
I had it in my 40's. The pain was mild to moderate but the itching was insane.
I got it when I was 9. I’ll never forget the feeling and don’t wish it on anyone.
I got shingles when I was 30, back in 2009, and can confirm that it is, indeed, no fun. Had it on my face, which left permanent scarring. Every once in a while, I feel the tingles in the affected nerves and cross my fingers it's not on its way back, but thankfully no other cases since then. I am so, so glad that our small child (and so many others) now have the opportunity to get the chickenpox vaccine.
Same for me but in 2013 and it was on my hip! I thought perhaps a mosquito got stuck in my leggings and went to town on me lol it wasn’t much fun
@@calamitynatalie8590 Your mosquito explanation seems much less dramatic than my first reaction to mine, but it's still a creative one. :) Before I got a diagnosis, I was nearly convinced that I had flesh-eating bacteria on my face because the skin sloughed off at the site of the first sores. Glad it wasn't that, though shingles wasn't exactly fun, either.
@@ahoffman1979 Oh trust me, if it was on my face I am certain I would’ve been far less reasonable than assuming it was mosquitoes!
100% I would’ve gone straight to flesh eating bacteria as well!
@@calamitynatalie8590 Ha, thanks for the vote of solidarity in catastrophic thinking. ;)
@@ahoffman1979 😂😂😂
I had shingles at three days old due to my sister having chicken pox when I was born. (Ton of doctors studied the case this was back in the 90’s) I still have the scars from it but I am not allowed to get a chicken pox or shingle vaccine because every blood test since I have the antibodies from it. The headache of every school requiring blood work to prove I don’t need that vaccine was insane. Hopefully they change that standard with shingles being more common in younger folks now.
Whenever I click on one of your videos (the two brothers), it’s worth it. Thank you! You are awesome!
Amazing tribute at the end!
Doctor Ani John I met you when I was in crisis and in the most inconvenient and disturbing manner. But I never regretted meeting you, thank you so much for sending your Herbal medicine,,
I wish this video was out there when I got shingles two years ago! Mine was a case of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome where the shingles outbreak affects your face. Even though we caught it quick, I still had scarring and partial hearing loss on one side. Thanks for putting great information out there and feel better soon!
I got shingles on my face in 2018. Caught it quick but it was on my temple between my left ear and left eye so the doctor was worried I'd lose my site in that eye which really freaked me out. It went away quick with medication but I still have severe tinnitus in my left ear which will probably be permanent. Totally sucks.
@@2buxaslice Yes, my brother got it on his forehead, and he lost some vision.
I'd had it on my forehead at 15 and the doctor never said anything about risk to eyesight or hearing 😧. Glad it turned out ok. I was numb on that spot for years and I still have some scarring. I called it my Harry Potter scar, it would even burn a little when I was stressed for a few years after I'd had shingles.
Got shingles years ago. My mom had it during the time I visited her. The rashes came out 2 weeks after I returned abroad; had it on my head, left ear and shoulder. I was given an ointment by the doctor but it looks even worse applying it.
I searched online for herbal medicine and found turmeric powder. Luckily I have it on my kitchen. In a few days the shingles dried up & gone. It left some scars but I applied exfoliant solutions to remove dark spots.
@@yeodcachz6815 I had a friend who got shingles and his doctor didn't diagnose it properly at first so it lasted weeks before they finally figured out what it was.
My doctor gave me meds for mine and the rashes and swelling around my eye disappeared within one day. I highly recommend prescription medication over herbal remedies for something this serious.
I have a fun Shingles story. About 8 years ago my Mother took on a very stressful job. And she later got very small rash on the left side of her back. And I don’t know why but as a 12 year old I asked her if she had ever had chickenpox and then I told her “Hey it might be shingles.” At first she kind of laughed me off being you know a middle schooler. However, when she went in for her doctors appointment and guess who was right. To me that stories less about the shingles but more about how your kids will pick up on your being stressed. Your kids watch and look up to you. Sometimes their observations are right. They observe because they care. Love is somehow diagnosing your mother as a stranger little 12 year old.
I’m glad you’re at the itchy part of the shingles Hank it’s almost over. Hope you feel better!
My Dad got shingles after all 3 of his injections, he won’t do anymore
Doctor Ani John I met you when I was in crisis and in the most inconvenient and disturbing manner. But I never regretted meeting you, thank you so much for sending your Herbal medicine,,
And now we know what was stressing Hanks body out: Cancer.
I had shingles in January 2021 when I was 27. When I was diagnosed my doctor could give me no information about what symptoms to expect or how long they might last, or if I was even unusual for having it at 27 - they said they saw so much variation in how shingles presents now that they could no longer describe a "typical" experience. (my case was mild and only lasted a few weeks)
I had chickenpox and virtually everyone younger than me had the vaccine. I read the same research about how the lack of the constant reexposure of varicella due to widespread vaccination has lead to a cohort of younger adults getting shingles, and how eventually that same vaccination will lead to much fewer people getting shingles overall.
I am otherwise healthy and don't take immunosuppressant medication, so I looked into why I knew literally no one my own age had also had shingles. Studies haven't found much beyond immunosuppression, age, and stress being contributing factors to reactivation of the shingles virus, but there is some evidence about the type of stress being important. Researchers differentiate between chronic stress (lower level over long period of time) and episodic stress (higher level from a single traumatic event) and theorize that some combination of the two, with several months of chronic stress followed by an event of episodic stress, can contribute to sudden declines in immune function, leading to shingles infection in some.... So I have to follow politics very closely for work, and while correlation is not causation, after a very stressful 2020, and an absolutely batshit start to 2021, my first shingles symptom appeared on January 7th.
Yep! I have ME/CFS, which dimishes the immune system. Illnesses are always tough for me, but this year I got shingles around my EYE after being sick with a virus for a week already 😭 Paired with my usual ME symptoms, I could barely walk 3 ft. I'm so used to toughing it out that by the time I wound up in hospital, they were worried about me losing my vision within hours. The eye doctor and nurse were FURIOUS - making calls to the other medical professionals who had dismissed me because I'm young, ignoring my higher risk and 2 weeks of excruciating pain on top of an already present disability.
All of this to say, shingles can be no joke! See a doctor immediately, don't risk long term issues, and don't let them brush you off because you're "too young."
Awww the ending....RIP Evelyn and thank you for your contribution to society.
It was my greatest opportunity using Doctor Ani John herbal medicine for Shingles virus which gave me a lot of concern, today I have been cured of Shingles virus since November 2020 I appreciate Dr.Ani John for his help so kindly hearted 🙏❤️
Glad I watched this. Thanks Hank.
Shingles is no joke. I had chickenpox when I was about 8. I got shingles in my 40s. It felt like my right shoulder and back were literally burning. For days. I feel (literally have felt) your pain. Shingles and gout are the two issues I've had where I genuinely considered the possible cost/benefit balance of *cutting off* the affected part of my body.
I remember having a particularly bad gout attack in my left foot, and having to walk about 200 yards through the building to get to my desk (because USA and of course no sick leave or health insurance worth spit from that job). I passed a large cutting tool designed to cut through big stack of printed sheet before going to bookbinding. I stopped to consider whether the torch-style lighter I had in my pocket was hot enough to cauterize the stump before I bled out if I put my foot in the device and cut it off. I mean seriously, if momentarily, considering it.
Chronic pain will mess with your mind.
I have a friend who deals with gout, and he's expressed similar things. Just hearing a description of what's physically happening is horrifying.
When I was told that my pet lizard had basically a reptile form of gout, I had to consider the possibility of euthanasia for the poor thing (luckily, I was actually able to correct part of the issue with an environmental change, and meds help enough with the rest that she's been acting like a healthy lizard again).
Commenting from Singapore, what is not the USA the "richest nation", that ever graced the face of this planet. What you Yankees do not get paid sick leave as mandated by law in every other rich/middle income non kleptocratic democracy that was invited by President Biden in the US organised, "Confrence of Democracies" & excellent subsided health care like high qty comprehensive medical insurance or single payer health care insurance or heavily subsidised state health care. What how can a very rich country, be considered respectable & civilised be without some kind of comprehensive health care insurance to all its citoyen? What are you Yankee not a Democracy for how can ppl not vote for some kind of comprehensive health care package for themselves?
I had shingles that started on my scalp behind my ear and ran down my jawline almost to my mouth. I was diagnosed quickly and put on an antiviral so it cleared up fairly quickly, but I was sensitive to touch on the part of my scalp where it started for close to a year afterward.
Stop eating excess protein... Cranberries is the cure for gout
I got shingles in college, so I was only like 20. To be fair I was very stressed at the time and I wasn't getting enough sleep (life of a college kid right?), so a flare up wasn't that unusual. It certainly wasn't common, but at least a handful of kids would get it every year according to the school health clinic, and that only includes the kids that had it bad enough to go to them for pain meds (most of which don't really work on nerve pain, so it's kind of pointless). Luckily for me my case wasn't all that bad and was localized to a pretty small area on my back, but oh man was it painful for a couple days. I'm glad to know that rates in the future should go down, though I wonder how true that will be if vaccine denialism continues to take hold...
So did you have chicken pox?
When I was in Stoney Lodge there was a 9 year old kid that had it
As someone who had this as a child I really hope vaccine denialism as you put it doesn't massively hinder us down the line. It isn't fun. Like you mine occurred on my lower back. After finding out it could have been worse, and in other regions, I was extremely grateful for my mild experience.
I had the shingles down my right leg as a child of 11 in 1972. I remember staying home from school with lots of blisters smeared with ointment and watching more TV than I was ever allowed to. When I went to the doctor, he called everyone in to see such a rare thing.
I have been extremely healthy or lucky in life, not really getting sick. My wife has never seen me bed ridden in the past 11 years for anything. I missed a day or two of work in my 45 years of working. At 62, take no medications. The docs said I must have had an asymptomatic case of chicken pox at a younger age.
Youre my fav host on SciSho. Didnt realize you had your own channel. You made a comment i noticed, because im in the same boat, immune compromised. I have MS.
Have fun with the skritchy scratches! Hank glad you're feeling better! Rest easy, and take care. Thank you for this useful information
I'm glad you are feeling better! My wife had shingles in her 20's but it caused a Bell's palsy/Ramsay Hunt syndrome because the herpes zoster went undiagnosed until facial paralysis. This video is helpful for those who will inevitably have shingles too. Hope you have a full, speedy recovery!
Jim, wait this is concerning. was she not diagnosed with the RHS prior to getting shingles ?
It’s a known, rare, side effect of that vaccine & many others
My daughter had shingles age 4, after a primary infection aged 18 months.The youngest case I saw working in family medicine was in a 3 year old child. Both cases many years before Covid
I had chicken pox as a kid...on my tongue of all places. Now I have an autoimmune disease and have to take biologic injections which can cause shingles. So before starting the medication my doctors prescribed Shingrix but I first ran into problems finding anywhere that would administer it due to being in my 30s. Even with the FDA guidelines stating there are exceptions, and I was definitely an exception, the pharmacies' physician for the companies would not allow it. So had to go to the health department. Then was the problem with my insurance not wanting to cover it because it "wasn't medically necessary." Went through a year of appeals and ended up they refused to cover any part of the cost. I couldn't just get it at my doctor's office because they didnt have it. The vaccine is extremely difficult to get if you're younger than 50.
So this brings up a recurring puzzlement of mine. I've never had chickenpox, and I vaguely remember as an older kid or young teen my doctor giving me a blood test to find out if I needed to be vaccinated. He told me my results came back with "a mutation that meant I couldn't get chickenpox." Alright, strange, but great. I've done googling about this many times now that I'm older and the internet readily available, but never found anything about this. So I'm wondering if my pediatrician was speaking out of his butt. This video reminds me that I should ask my current doctor about it.
I dunno.... but there are people who have a mutation that prevents them from getting malaria. But 2 copies of the mutation (gene) and they suffer from sickle cell anemia.
The terminology is odd. We look for immunity to a disease when we test to see if you need shots. That’s not genetic testing for mutations. However, I’m 64 and a retired pediatrician so perhaps there is something different these days. You should definitely talk with your current doctor. 💕🐝💕🇺🇸
THey’re ALL talking out of their butt
I never had chickenpox either. My whole 2nd grade class including my best friend got chicken pox. My mom was terminally ill when I was in high school and got shingles which absolutely was the worse thing possible. So I was exposed over and over. I told my doctor that I hadn't had chickenpox and she did a titer test and confirmed I didn't have chicken pox. She wasn't sure how it was possible. I got the vaccine but I've always wondered if I have some weird immune system. I've never had COVID-19 either despite multiple times being exposed.
You should definitely ask your doctor. He/She will probably advise you to get the vaccine, which would be smart because getting chickenpox as an adult can be much worse than getting it as a child. Even if it turns out you didn't need it, it won't hurt you.
The varicella vaccine is attenuated chickenpox virus, so if you are immune it won't do anything.
this is insane. I just got back home from the doctor's who were all dressed in full PPE and put me in an isolation room because I have a rash and everyone has to be wary of monkeypox right now, only to find out I have shingles at the age of 25.
My case doesn't seem to be as severe as other people's that I've seen (though it is still quite painful and itchy), but the fact that I'm getting this at 25 and had no idea this was even a worry for me until literally this week, is wild. Also it's weird that this was uploaded today. Feeling very mixed emotions.
Thanks for the video Hank. Can't wait till its just itchy and not this painful.
I'm sorry to hear you're dealing with that. I know it feels like endless torture, but don't worry, it will fade with time! I had shingles when I was like 20 (college stress and lack of sleep set it off apparently), and it totally sucked even though I had a fairly mild case
I'm sorry to hear about that!
Are you 🥕? That causes/activates autoimmune diseases, like shingles.
That is an absolutely awful story. I am so sorry that happened to you, that must've been a nightmare.
One would presume you took the jab.
Justin Bieber’s jab injury was related to chicken pox virus as well.
Thanks for hashing out the ambiguity here. Great comparison. I was having a lot of trouble understanding just what long covid was and this helped me with that.
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