What Should You Expect If You Get Shingles
Shingles can be a very painful condition. If you think you have the symptoms of shingles, see your healthcare provider right away. Starting antiviral medications early can ease your discomfort and end symptoms earlier.
A better approach to shingles is to take action and do what you can to lessen your risk of getting it. If you’ve never had shingles in the past, talk to your healthcare provider about getting the shingles vaccine. If youve never had chickenpox, talk with your healthcare provider about getting the chickenpox vaccine.
How Long Do Architectural Shingles Or Dimensional Shingles Last
Architectural or dimensional asphalt shingles are thicker and more durable and therefore more suited to places with more extreme weather conditions.
That said, they are also more expensive but they do last between 15 to 25 years and can withstand wind uplift for up to 110 miles MPH, or even up to 130 MPH with specialized installation techniques and roof bracing.
General Measures To Alleviate Shingles Symptoms
Loose-fitting cotton clothes are best to reduce irritating the affected area of skin. Pain may be eased by cooling the affected area with ice cubes , wet dressings, or a cool bath. A non-adherent dressing that covers the rash when it is blistered and raw may help to reduce pain caused by contact with clothing. Simple creams may be helpful if the rash is itchy. Calamine lotion can help to cool the skin and reduce mild itchiness.
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Your Asphalt Roof Is About 20 Years Old
The life of a roof is how many years you get out of it. For a standard 3-tab asphalt shingle roof, thats 25-years.
As long as your roof has been properly ventilated and installed you should get pretty close to that 25 years of roof life. So obviously you want to replace your roof before it starts leaking or fails completely.
A reputable roofing contractor will recommend that you replace your roof somewhere around 80-85% of the manufacturers life of the roof. For example, you should consider replacing a 25-year roof around the 20-year mark.
Dont wait until its too late, get ahead of any potential problems and replace your roof before the end of its life.
How Long Does It Take For Shingles To Progress
Shingles progresses into blisters over three to five days and begins to crust over after seven to ten days. The rash is preceded by a prodromal phase lasting 48-72 hours or longer, consisting of throbbing pain and numbness in the area affecting the nerve. Once the rash blisters, it can last another three to five days before the lesions scab over.
After the lesions crust over, it may take two to four weeks to heal completely. At this time, pain may still be present. The most painful stage of shingles is when you have fluid-filled blisters. This usually occurs three to five days after the rash first appears.
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The 3 Signs That Its Time To Replace Asphalt Shingles
Now you know how long asphalt shingles should really last. But the truth is, most homeowners dont keep track of their roofs age.
Thats why you need to know when your roof is telling you its time to replace your asphalt shingles. Lets get to the 3 signs that its time to replace your asphalt shingles.
How To Pay For Shingrix
Commercial insurance covers about 96% of insured people for the Shingrix vaccine. Most people with private insurance will pay under $5 for each dose.
Programs like Medicaid cover Shingrix in certain states. Medicare Parts A and B do not cover the shingles vaccine. But individuals covered under Medicare prescription drug plans, or Part D, will have their vaccines covered.
For people who do not have access to insurance, there are a number of vaccine assistance programs and affordable health coverage options available. Many of these programs provide vaccines at little or no cost.
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You Cannot Get Shingles From Someone With Chickenpox
You cannot get shingles from someone with shingles or chickenpox.
But you can get chickenpox from someone with shingles if you have not had chickenpox before.
When people get chickenpox, the virus remains in the body. It can be reactivated later and cause shingles if someone’s immune system is lowered.
This can be because of stress, certain conditions, or treatments like chemotherapy.
And How Long Does A 30 Year Roof Really Last
The lifespan of a 30-year roof can be 30 years or 3 decades, or it can last for significantly less time if you experience a disaster like a fire, major hailstorm, tornado, or a hurricane.
Many roofing warranties may cover a roof for 20 or 30 years, depending on the location and type of roof, but youll want to always check the fine print and review your homeowners or property owners insurance policies as well, and ask any questions before you sign on the dotted line to buy a home or replace an existing roof.
If you are looking to purchase a property with an older roof , you may even see 50 year old shingles or roofing systems on the market and while you should always get a roof inspection before buying a new home or building, it is possible for some types of roofing to last that long.
Read on to learn more about the average life of various types of roofs, when you should get a roof inspection or consider repairing or even replacing your roof, and more
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New Shingles Vaccine: What You Need To Know
Nov. 13, 2019 â Unlike some vaccines, thereâs been so much demand for the new shingles vaccineShingrix that itâs not always easy to find. It was approved in 2017, and the CDC recommends the vaccine for adults 50 and older to prevent this painful, blistering illness. It is being used in place of the previous vaccine, Zostavax.
More than a year later, doctors say they are learning more about how it works, its safety risks, and how it compares to Zostavax.
How effective is Shingrix?
âItâs just remarkable,â says Wilbur Chen, MD, an associate professor of medicine at the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine. âIt has performed better than I expected.â
In studies, Shingrix was more than 97% effective at preventing shingles in people 50 and older. It works just as well in older adults, who are at greater risk for a painful shingles complication called postherpetic neuralgia . âWhen 70- and 80-year-olds get shingles, it can be extremely debilitating,â Chen says.
By contrast, Zostavax cuts the risk of shingles by only 51% and PHN by 67%. Itâs only about 38% effective in people over age 70.
How safe is Shingrix?
âSo far so good,â Schaffner says. The main side effect is soreness in the arm where you get the shot.
Other side effects are mild and usually last for 2 to 3 days, including:
Who shouldnât get Shingrix?
Can I get the Shingrix vaccine now?
How do I pay for Shingrix?
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Is The Zostavax Vaccine Still Being Used
Yes. The CDC, however, recommends Zostavax for adults age 60 and older, but not routinely for people aged 50 to 59. Zostavax is given as a single-dose shot versus the two-dose shot for Shingrix. Zostavax is less effective than Shingrix in preventing shingles and postherpetic neuralgia .
You can consider Zostavax if you are allergic to Shingrix or if Shingrix is unavailable because of supply shortage and you want some immediate protection from a possible case of shingles and/or postherpetic neuralgia. Because its a weakened live vaccine, it may be dangerous if you have cancer, HIV, or take steroids, chemotherapy or other medications that suppress your immune system. Ask your healthcare provider if the Zostavax vaccine is an option for you.
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How Much Does The Shingles Vaccine Cost With Medicare
Shingles vaccines can be expensive, costing up to $300 per dose without insurance. Having Medicare Part D may help you avoid paying full price, but your out-of-pocket cost will depend on the plan and its deductibles, copays, or coinsurance.
The cost of the shingles vaccine with Medicare depends on the coverage you have and the stage of coverage youre in, but the majority of patients pay less than $50 per dose,according to GSK. If your deductible has already been met, your shingles shot may be free.
Another cost factor is where you get vaccinated. People who choose an in-network pharmacy or a doctors office that coordinates with or can bill their Part D plan directly will pay less. If your doctors office does not coordinate with or bill Part D plans directly, you may be billed for the entire cost of the shingles shot and have to seek reimbursement from your plan later. Reimbursements may not equal the total amount you paid in advance.
Other insurance plans, including private insurance and Medicaid, may cover the shingles vaccine with no out-of-pocket costs. Contact your insurance company for more information and coverage details.
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What Does The Shingles Vaccine Do
Joint Base …” alt=”Retiree News: Older adults should get new shingles vaccine > Joint Base …”> The shingles vaccine can prevent shingles. Every year, about 1 million people in the United States get shingles. Anyone whos had chickenpox can get shingles. Thats because the varicella-zoster virus lives silently in your nervous system after you’ve had chickenpox. The virus can reactivate later in your life if your immune system is weakened. Your risk of getting shingles goes up as you get older. In the United States, 1 in 3 people will get shingles in their lifetime.
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Weighing The Risks Vs Benefits
The vaccine to prevent shingles will help you to avoid shingles symptoms, which in most cases are quite mild but may cause intense pain in some people.
Shingles symptoms come in two stages: the prodromal stage and the eruptive stage. In the first stage, your symptoms may include:
About three to five days later, you develop a prickly and painful pimple-like rash. These pimples turn into blisters during this eruptive stage, and your skin may be red and swollen. Shingles sores also can affect your mouth, which is another symptom the vaccine can prevent.
Shingles isnât generally life-threatening. It can be, though, if your immune system is compromised. During an outbreak and after the rash clears up, some people may experience complications that require immediate medical attention.
Common ones include:
- Postherpetic neuralgia : Damaged nerves cause lingering pain for three months or more.
- Bacterial skin infections: When shingles blisters pop, bacteria can get in.
- Eye damage: One branch of the trigeminal nerve goes to the eye. Damage there can lead to eye damage, which can be severe.
While you may experience side effects with the vaccine, the benefits outweigh the risks of shingles symptoms and complications in most people.
If you were vaccinated with Zostavaxa shingles vaccine that is no longer being givenask your healthcare provider about getting the Shingrix vaccine.
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Signs You Need A New Roof
Have you noticed shingles cracking, buckling, or curling up?
If you witness these signs, you definitely want to look into a new roof or at least contact a roofing contractor for an assessment.
If your shingles are losing granules then you also want to look into replacing your roof.
Roof valleys or if your roof shingles are falling apart and missing in some areas are another sign that you should have your roof assessed by professional roofing contractors and possibly replaced.
Roof valleys or missing shingles in general can also be a sign that you need to replace your roof or at least do some serious repair work.
Can you get up on your roof and walk around and observe?
If the roof is spongy-feeling or if you start feeling like you are bouncing a bit when you are walking on it, then your roof might need to be replaced.
Do you see any granules missing if you have an asphalt shingle roof?
When your shingles are losing granules, then youll notice the loose granules around the base of your home, in your gutters, or scattered in your yard.
The shingles themselves might also appear to be discolored.
This is definitely a time to work with a roofing company to determine any problems with your roof and figure out whether you need repairs or a total roof replacement.
Replacing missing or damaged roof shingles can also be a DIY project if you are somewhat handy, but that depends on your own abilities, the type of roof you have, and your do-it-yourself skills.
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How Bad Is Shingles Pain
Pain. Eventually, most people with shingles experience a localised “band” of pain in the affected area. The pain can be a constant, dull or burning sensation and its intensity can vary from mild to severe. You may have sharp stabbing pains from time to time, and the affected area of skin will usually be tender.
Why Doesnt Having Chickenpox Earlier In Life Provide Immunity Against Having Shingles Later
After having chickenpox, your body doesnt rid your system of the virus. Instead, the virus stays in a portion of the spinal nerve root called the dorsal root ganglion. In most people, the virus simply stays there quietly and doesnt cause problems. Scientists arent always sure why the virus gets active again, but they know stress can be a cause.
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What You Can Do To Help Recover From Shingles
There is no cure for shingles, but there are medications, including antiviral medications, such as acyclovir or valacyclovir, to help fight the infection.
While your shingles is active, you should:
- Rest and relax. Try moderate activities, such as walking and listening to music that can help take your mind off the pain. For severe pain, your doctor may prescribe narcotic pain relievers, corticosteroids, and anticonvulsants.
- Wear loose-fitting clothes.
- Keep the rash clean and dry. Do not cover it or use ointments, which can prevent the blisters from bursting and beginning to scab over.
- Try cool compresses, calamine lotion, or an oatmeal bath to ease the itching and pain of the rash.
- Dont share bedding, clothing or towels in order to avoid spreading the infection while you have blisters.
There are effective vaccinations available to prevent shingles, so if you have had chickenpox, talk with your healthcare provider about getting protected from shingles.
Is There A Shingles Vaccination
In the UK there is a shingles vaccine immunisation programme for people aged 70 years to protect against herpes zoster. There is also a catch-up programme which offers the vaccine to anyone aged between 70 and 79 years who has previously missed out on immunisation. The vaccine is licensed for people aged over 50 years, and if you are not eligible for the vaccine on the NHS, your pharmacist may be able to provide the vaccine as a private service.
The chickenpox vaccine is not routinely given to children in the UK but is offered to people who are in close contact with someone who is particularly vulnerable to chickenpox or its complications – eg, people with a weakened immune system.
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Can You Get Shingles If You Havent Had Chickenpox
No. You cant get shingles if youve never had chickenpox, but you can get chickenpox from someone who has shingles. If youve never had chickenpox and you come into direct contact with the oozing, blister-like rash of someone with shingles, the varicella-zoster virus can infect you and you would develop chickenpox.
Once youve had chickenpox, you could develop shingles at some point in your life. This is because the varicella-zoster virus never fully goes away after youve had chickenpox. It lies quietly inactive in your nerve tissue. Later in life, the virus may become active again and appears as shingles.
Can you get chickenpox more than once?
Its rare to get chickenpox twice in your life. Once youve had chickenpox, youre usually immune to it for the rest of your life. However, its not totally impossible. If you have a severely weakened immune system , you can get chickenpox a second time. If youve had chickenpox, you are more likely to get shingles at some point in your life than a repeat bout of chickenpox.
How Is Shingles Diagnosed
Your healthcare provider will do a complete physical exam and ask about your medical history, specifically about whether you have ever had chickenpox.
Your healthcare provider will likely know right away that it is shingles based on the unique rash. The rash usually appears one area on one side of the body or face. It appears as red spots, small fluid- or pus-filled vesicles, or scabs.
The healthcare provider may also take skin scrapings for testing.
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What Does Early Stages Of Shingles Look Like
Shingles progress through several stages as the virus replicates in your body. Shingles start as a rash with red bumps, known as papules, distributed most frequently over your back and torso.
Within several days, grouped blisters are present. Within seven to ten days, the vesicles dry up and crust.
The early stage of shingles looks like small, red, raised, solid pimples or an inflamed rash. These are tiny, raised bumps on the skin. Eventually, these bumps blister and later crust. The beginning stages of shingles create tingling and localized pain.
The early stages of shingles are also described as itching, burning, or deep pain. People who have had shingles also described the early stages as similar to the beginning of the flu.