Multiple sclerosis linked to shingles

Seeded on Fri Jun 17, 2011 10:37 AM EDT (msnbc.com)

— Filed under: health

Another reason I am glad we got the Shingles Vac. Wonder why they are only giving it to people over 60? I understand the reason for the vac., but my oldest, age 42, & his younger brother, age 36, had Chicken Pox just before the original vaccine came out for it, so technically they are at risk too.

P.S. 1st. person I knew of many years ago that had shingles was a young, married woman.

1 vote

#1 - Fri Jun 17, 2011 10:41 AM EDT

Sandy-2021492

A guy I knew in college had shingles, and I've seen several people in their late 30's - early 40's who have had shingles, too.

I think the vaccine is recommended for those over 60 because they are more likely to develop shingles. Not that younger people can't, but they are less likely to develop it.

#1.1 - Sun Jun 19, 2011 8:19 PM EDT

JanG-1455598

Shingles attacks folks with immunity problems, often due to stress, age, or underlying disease.

My guess is what the data is showing is that a person with undiagnosed MS may well get shingles -- not that shingles causes MS.

#2 - Thu Jun 23, 2011 6:53 PM EDT

Charlii not the tuna

Well, I have been diagnosed with MS since 88. Had chickenpox as a child and shingles three times since. Am now 69. Last shingles episode was much milder than others I remember. So there could be a correlation but it will probably need much more study before they can definitely link the two.

#3 - Sun Jun 26, 2011 8:35 PM EDT

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