4 ms·

I live in the US and got Chickenpox as a child, I think from a classic "Chickenpox party". I'm not sure if I was also vaccinated against it or not... I got Shi

I live in the US and got Chickenpox as a child, I think from a classic "Chickenpox party". I'm not sure if I was also vaccinated against it or not... I got Shingles at 25 (I'm 30 now). I didn't believe it at first because I thought Shingles was an "old person's disease". I remember going to the doctor the day it started, and he just prescribed me some painkillers. I said, "I don't think I'll need those I don't feel too bad." He just looked me in the eyes and said, "Oh, you will." It was awful. Some of the worst pain I've ever been in. I laid in bed for almost a week basically hallucinating. Apparently, Shingles can come up multiple times in your life. I wonder if getting exposed to Chickenpox again would decrease the odds... I don't spend any time around children, so I don't think that's likely to happen to me haha.

maxerickson 5y ago
There's a shingles vaccine, though it's only approved for over 50: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/index.html https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/in... Doesn't seem to be much out there about whether that is because of insurance coverage or if that is the population they tested in or if there are additional factors.
- HarryHirsch 5y ago
  The shingles vaccine is a more concentrated version of the chickenpox vaccine because immune response isn't as efficient in older people. You might consider getting the chickenpox shot, shingles are awful.
- TranquilMarmot 5y ago
  The experience was awful but since I was young when I got it, I lived through it with basically no aftereffects. I had painkillers but could probably have made it through it without them. If I was 50+ I could see it taking a real toll on my body.