Shingles
Varicella Zoster
varicella zoster blisters
Shingles is a disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After an attack of chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in certain nerve tissue. As people age, it is possible for the virus to reappear in the form of shingles, which is estimated to affect 2 in every 10 people in their lifetime. Shingles is characterized by clusters of blisters, which develop on one side of the body and can cause severe pain that may last for weeks, months or years after the virus reappears.
ALT: Shingles - Questions & AnswersQuestions & Answers
 
The Disease
The Vaccine
01 Jan 07

Sample Q&A: The Disease

How do you know if you have shingles?
Often the first symptoms of shingles may be numbness, tingling, itching, or pain in one particular location on one side of the face or body. In the pre-eruption stage, diagnosis may be difficult, and the pain can be so severe that it may be mistaken for pleurisy, kidney stones, gallstones, appendicitis, or even a heart attack, depending on the location of the affected nerve. The virus infects the skin cells and creates a painful, red rash that resembles chickenpox. Doctors can distinguish shingles from chickenpox by the way the spots are distributed. The rash usually appears in a well-defined band on one side of the body, typically the torso; or on one side of the face, around the nose and eyes. The rash usually begins as clusters of small bumps that soon develop into fluid-filled blisters (vesicles). The blisters fill with pus, break open, and form crusty scabs. In about four or five weeks, the disease will have run its course, and the skin will begin healing. Even after the blisters have healed the site may remain painful to the slightest touch or breeze. It is usually a very painful rash, and typically people can't bear clothes touching the affected area.
ACIP Guidelines
Prevention of Herpes Zoster 06 Jun 08
Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
Clinical
Update on Herpes Zoster Vaccine: Licensure for Persons Aged 50 Through 59 Years 11 Nov 11
MMWR
Important Information About Concomitant Use of Zostavax (Zoster Vaccine Live) and Pneumovax23 (Pneumococcal Vaccine Polyvalent) PDF 25 Jan 10
Merck Letter to Health Care Providers
Important Information Regarding the Storage and Handling of Zostavax 18 Sep 09
Merck
A New Product (VariZIG™) for Postexposure Prophylaxis of Varicella Available Under an Investigational New Drug Application Expanded Access Protocol 03 May 06
MMWR
Consumer
Questions about Shingles Vaccine Coverage 17 Sep 08
The TRICARE Management Activity Blog
Major General Elder Granger
Merck 31 Aug 07
Information on Shingles and Postherpetic Neuralgia
Facts About Chickenpox and Shingles For Adults 01 Jul 05
National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
Information Paper
Herpes Zoster (Shingles) Disease and Vaccine PDF 01 Sep 11
Information Paper
Package Insert
Zostavax (Merck) 01 Jun 11
Package Insert - Vaccine
Related Links
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention 10 Jan 11
Shingles
Merck 31 Aug 07
Information on Shingles and Postherpetic Neuralgia
Zostavax 31 May 06
Merck
Merck (vaccine manufacturer) 13 Apr 04
Storage & Handling
Shipping Package for VARIVAX PDF 17 Jun 11

New shipping package for VARIVAX from Merck Vaccines (replacing the use of dry ice with 6 refrigerant packs)

Shipping Package for ZOSTAVAX PDF 17 Jun 11
New shipping package for ZOSTAVAX from Merck Vaccines (replacing the use of dry ice with 6 refrigerant packs)
Supply & Logistics (MMQC)
MMQC-11-1404 15 Jun 11
MERCK & CO. / ZOSTAVAX (ZOSTER) VACCINE / MEDICAL INFORMATION
Vaccine & VIG Info
Shipping Package for VARIVAX PDF 17 Jun 11

New shipping package for VARIVAX from Merck Vaccines (replacing the use of dry ice with 6 refrigerant packs)

Shipping Package for ZOSTAVAX PDF 17 Jun 11
New shipping package for ZOSTAVAX from Merck Vaccines (replacing the use of dry ice with 6 refrigerant packs)
Important Information About Concomitant Use of Zostavax (Zoster Vaccine Live) and Pneumovax23 (Pneumococcal Vaccine Polyvalent) PDF 25 Jan 10
Merck Letter to Health Care Providers
Important Information Regarding the Storage and Handling of Zostavax 18 Sep 09
Merck
VIS
Shingles Vaccine; What You Need to Know 06 Oct 09
Vaccine Information Statement