Shingles is a viral illness caused by the herpes zoster virus. Herpes zoster is also responsible for causing chicken pox; once a person has had chicken pox, the virus lies dormant in her body. Medical researchers are not quite sure what reactivates the shingles virus, but they think it may be related to lowered immunity or stress. Vaccines for both chicken pox and shingles may help prevent a person from developing the painful condition.
Step 1
Vaccinate your children against chicken pox when they are young so that they will not catch the contagious virus that causes both chicken pox and shingles. The vaccine, called varicella, is a routine part of well-baby checkups. A person who is never ill with chicken pox will not have shingles, because the virus is not in his body.
Step 2
Avoid exposure to chicken pox if you have never had the illness as a child. Exposure to the herpes zoster virus as an adult may give you chicken pox, not shingles, upon first contact. Later in your life, you could develop shingles as a result of your chicken pox infection.
Step 3
Become vaccinated against shingles if you are 60 years old or older. The National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases reports that the CDC recommends the shingles vaccine to senior citizens, the age group most commonly affected by shingles. The vaccine is called Zostamax, and while it may not eliminate all cases of shingles, it reduces the risks significantly.
