Page 17 - Boca Club News - July '22

Boca Club News, Page 17
Medical Matters: Shingles

By Richard Nagler, M.D., a member taste can occur. This is called the Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. recombinant vaccine made from a single protein from the
of Broken Sound Club and retired Seniors are the ones most likely to have complications as outer shell of the Herpes Zoster virus. It has been proven to
physician. After graduating from the their immune systems are weaker and are at greater risk of protect 95% of adults over the age of 50, and the effectiveness
University of Pennsylvania and New more extensive rashes and secondary bacterial infections from extends well into the 80s. The CDC has voted to make it the
York University’s School of Medicine, open blisters, making them more susceptible to pneumonia, preferred vaccine. It is recommended for all adults over 50,
Dr. Nagler served his internship and brain and spinal inflammation. In addition, people who have even including those who have been previously vaccinated
residency at Baltimore City Hospital diseases or conditions that weaken their immune systems, with Zostavax. It protects older people with compromised
and Johns Hopkins. He followed that such as HIV infections, AIDS, cancer, those undergoing immune systems as well. The vaccine is administered in two
with a Fellowship in Gastroenterology radiation or chemotherapy, on steroids, or on anti-rejection doses, two months apart. For most recipients, side effects like
at Yale University School of Medicine, and was then Chief medications given to people after an organ transplant, are at pain, redness and minor swelling in the upper arms for a day
of Gastroenterology at Fitzimmons General Army Hospital the greatest risk of developing these complications, which or two occurs. About half of those over 70 have systemic side
in Denver. He returned to the Yale Medical School for one can become life-threatening. effects, such as fatigue, fever or aching joints lasting a few
year as an Assistant Professor of Medicine before opening In most cases the rash usually resolves in several weeks, days. But the hazards of Shingles and its complications dwarf
his own successful private practice in Internal Medicine but it may last longer. The severe pain due to nerve fibers any of these relatively minor transient side effects. Medicare
and Gastroenterology. During that time, he also served for being damaged often continues even after the rash has will cover Shingrix under part D, not under part B like the
ten years as Chief of Medicine at Huntington Hospital in cleared, and may last for weeks, months or even years. This flu vaccine.
Huntington, N.Y. is called post-herpetic neuralgia, which occurs in 10 to 15% While there is no cure for Shingles, once the disease is
Shingles (Herpes Zoster) is an infection caused by the of cases and is seen especially in the elderly. In 4% of cases, evident there are treatments that can be employed with some
Herpes-Zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes Shingles may recur. benefit, especially when they are instituted early. Antivirals
Chicken Pox. After an infection with Chicken Pox, the virus The diagnosis is usually easy once the distinctive rash such as Acyclovir can shorten the duration of the disease;
may live in the nervous system indefinitely and then later in appears. However, in some cases there may be no discernable topical Zostrix cream, prednisone, special eye drops, anti-
life reactivates as Shingles. More than a million cases occur rash, or the pain and burning may appear before the rash inflammatory drugs such as Advil and Tylenol, opiates,
every year in the United States, with the risk rising sharply appears. There may be an atypical presentation, which can be anti-histamines, lidocaine patches and gels offer some relief
every year after 50; and for those over the age of 80 there is a confused with Herpes Simplex, impetigo, contact dermatitis, of pain, which can continue for months, even years in some
one in three chance of getting Shingles. The first symptoms of folliculitis, Scabies, an insect bite, urticaria and a fungal cases.
Shingles are usually pain, itching, parasthesias and a burning infection. In these situations, analyses of the fluid aspirated
sensation exclusively on one side of the body. This is called from the blisters identifying the varicella virus will make the
the pre-eruptive phase and can last from 1 to 10 days. diagnosis.
It may be associated with headaches, fever, malaise, Shingles is contagious for anyone who has never had
muscle and nerve pain. This is followed by the appearance of chickenpox, but not for those who have had it in the past.
a typical rash of red patches of fluid-filled blisters that break The rash should always be covered, frequent hand washing
easily, crust and involute. They are most often found wrapping employed and strict avoidance of contact with anyone who
around the torso from the spine towards the mid-abdomen never had chickenpox. Although it is rare in pregnancy, when
and on the face. Severe, sometimes incapacitating pain and it occurs there is a significant risk of birth defects.
itching is a prominent feature. It may be accompanied with In order to prevent the development of Shingles, all
systemic symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches, fatigue adults over the age of 60 should be vaccinated against it. For
and muscle weakness. Swelling of regional lymph nodes is many years the only vaccine available was Zostavax, which
common. More serious complications may occur with the contains a weakened chicken pox virus. It was effective in just
rash involving the eye, which can cause permanent damage 50% of patients and, more importantly, the vaccine’s potency
to the cornea, glaucoma, retinitis, optic neuritis, lid retraction, wanes to the point that after 10 years protection is down to
ptosis, extra-ocular muscle paralysis, and even blindness. zero. It is no longer available, as it has been replaced by a new
When Shingles affects the facial nerve near the ear, facial vaccine now approved by the Food and Drug Administration
paralysis, hearing loss, tinnitus with vertigo and a loss of that represents a major breakthrough called Shingrix, a
Bocaire

The exclusive Bocaire Country Club is an intimate boutique club of only 239 homes on a renowned championship golf
course. Tennis program, fitness center, fine dining, social events, resort style aquatics center. Bocaire is friendly and active!
Sian’s Featured Bocaire Listings

4092 Bocaire Blvd 4920 Bocaire Blvd 4869 Tallowwood Lane
Stunning six bedroom six bath Impact High-end renovated home, 4 bedroom Desirable cul de sac - gorgeous view!
windows - 5361 square feet! plus office - 4486 square feet Offered at $1,499,000
Offered at $2,550,000 Offered at $2,800,000

SOLD UNDER CONTRACT UNDER CONTRACT

4875 Tallowwood Lane 4861 Tallowwood Lane 4311 Bocaire Blvd
Large four bedroom with golf course views! Completely renovated, like new Gorgeous views, new kitchen/bathrooms
- 3634 square feet!
Offered at $1,399,000 Offered at $2,350,000 Offered at $1,450,000
Sian Matthew PA

Bocaire Resident Realtor
Highland Beach Resident Realtor
Coldwell Banker
Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist
561-945-6550

www.sunnyfloridahomesforsale.com