Should I Take the Shingles Vaccine?Monday, 01 Apr 2013 09:15 AM
Question: My doctor recently recommended that I be vaccinated
against shingles. Do you think I should get the shot?
Dr.
Blaylock's Answer:
Shingles (herpes zoster) is caused by a latent herpes virus (the
chickenpox virus) becoming
reactivated during conditions of immune suppression. Because aging
suppresses immunity in
some
elderly people, it is more common as we age. In fact, one can have
silent chickenpox and retain a latent, sleeping virus within spinal
ganglion cells, where the virus hides.
Once
the vaccine companies and CDC popularized a chickenpox vaccine for
children, the incidence of shingles in older people increased
substantially. Some cases are spread directly from vaccinated
children. The shingles vaccine is also known to cause a number of
cases and can spread to others.
The
best way to resist shingles is to keep your immune system strong.
This is done by taking
astaxanthin, lycopene, buffered vitamin C, and a balanced
multivitamin every day. Taking beta-glucan (250 mg twice a week) on
an empty stomach will also strengthen the cellular immune system,
which is your primary weapon against this virus.
© 2013 NewsmaxHealth. All rights reserved. |