For almost a year, the possibility to vaccinate with a new remedy against shingles exists in Germany. In the future, the statutory health insurance funds have to take Vaccination for all people aged 60 or more, as the responsible Federal Joint Committee (GBA). Other diseases increase shingles risk, the scheme, already from the age of 50.
This includes people with:
- Diabetes,
- a weakened immune system,
- HIV,
- rheumatoid Arthritis,
- systemic Lupus erythematosus,
- chronic inflammatory bowel disease,
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or Asthma,
- chronic renal failure.
With the new rules, the GBA adapts the refund to the recommendations of the Standing Committee on vaccination (Stiko). The new vaccine is a so-called Inactivated vaccine that contains only a fraction of the pathogen. Previously, only a live vaccine with attenuated disease existed pathogens, the Stiko recommended, among other things, because he is not suitable for people with a weakened immune system.
For the new vaccine, two doses are necessary, the doctor at a distance of two to a maximum of six months, administered in the muscles. The vaccine protects about 90 percent of shingles.
Shingles: Later outbreak of the chicken pox Virus
According to the Robert Koch Institute, more than 300,000 people in Germany are diagnosed per year in the Herpes Zoster well-known disease. More than two-thirds of those Affected are over 50 years old. At around five percent, there is a so-called postzostischen neuralgia. It is severe nerve pain that can persist after Healing of the rash for weeks or months.
Is triggered the shingles by the Varicella-Zoster Virus, which causes the first contact with chickenpox. Subsequently, the pathogen survived for a lifetime in nerve knots in the spinal cord and in the cranial nerves. If the immune system is weakened, can reactivate the Virus years later, and over the nerves to the skin wound.
Typically, shingles begins with dull pain in the abdomen, chest, back or face, listlessness, General malaise, tingling and itching. A few days after the first symptoms of closely spaced, belt-shaped distributed small red spots form. You develop into vesicles, which are filled with highly infectious fluid.
Approximately every tenth patient, the disease occurs in the face. As a result, it can lead to serious complications, such as Visual and hearing loss or a unilateral facial muscle paralysis. Correct and early healing of treated shingles, however, usually within four weeks.