Can stress trigger shingles. How does stress increase the risk of developing shingles. What are the symptoms of shingles and how can they be treated. How can you reduce your risk of shingles.

Understanding Shingles: Causes and Risk Factors

Shingles, a painful blistering rash, affects approximately one in three people in the United States during their lifetime. This condition is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. Once a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the spinal cord, potentially reactivating later in life.

Dr. Pratik Thaker, a family medicine physician at Piedmont, explains that the risk of developing shingles increases with age. Interestingly, it’s possible to experience shingles multiple times throughout one’s life. But what triggers this reactivation, and is stress a contributing factor?

The Stress-Shingles Connection: Unraveling the Mystery

Recent research has shed light on the potential link between stress and shingles. Dr. Thaker confirms, “Stress can increase your risk of developing shingles. A severe amount of stress can weaken the immune system, which can allow the virus to reactivate.”

This connection between stress and shingles is rooted in the impact of stress on the immune system. When the body experiences prolonged or intense stress, it can suppress immune function, creating an opportunity for the dormant varicella-zoster virus to resurface.

Types of Stress That May Trigger Shingles

• Chronic work-related stress
• Major life changes (e.g., moving, divorce)
• Financial difficulties
• Loss of a loved one
• Traumatic events

While these stressors may increase the risk of shingles, it’s important to note that not everyone who experiences stress will develop the condition. Individual immune system strength and other factors also play a role.

Recognizing Shingles Symptoms: Early Detection is Key

Understanding the symptoms of shingles is crucial for early detection and treatment. Unlike chickenpox, which typically presents as a diffuse rash throughout the body, shingles usually develops on one side of the face or body.

Dr. Thaker emphasizes that shingles symptoms can begin before the characteristic rash appears. What are the early warning signs of shingles? Patients may experience itching, tingling, or pain in the area where the rash will develop. These sensations can occur days before the visible symptoms manifest.

Common Shingles Symptoms

1. Painful blisters that scab over within 7-10 days
2. Rash typically clearing up within 2-4 weeks
3. Upset stomach
4. Headache
5. Chills
6. Fever

Dr. Thaker warns, “Shingles is most concerning when it develops on the face. If it gets in the eye, it can potentially cause vision loss.” This highlights the importance of seeking medical attention promptly if you suspect you have shingles.

Stress Management: A Key Strategy in Shingles Prevention

Given the potential link between stress and shingles, implementing effective stress management techniques can be a valuable preventive measure. How can you manage stress to potentially reduce your risk of shingles?

Incorporating stress-reducing activities into your daily routine can help maintain a strong immune system and potentially lower your risk of shingles reactivation. Consider the following stress management strategies:

• Yoga and meditation
• Regular journaling
• Consistent exercise routine
• Seeking support from a counselor or coach
• Maintaining a balanced diet
• Prioritizing adequate sleep
• Engaging in enjoyable activities
• Spending quality time with loved ones and pets

By implementing these strategies, you not only potentially reduce your risk of shingles but also improve your overall well-being and quality of life.

Treatment Options for Shingles: Acting Swiftly for Best Results

If you suspect you have shingles, seeking prompt medical attention is crucial. Dr. Thaker advises, “If you notice any of the above symptoms, contact your primary care provider or urgent care right away. Your provider can get you on an antiviral treatment ASAP.”

Early antiviral treatment is essential as it can reduce the risk of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a condition that causes severe nerve pain in the affected area even after the rash has cleared. How soon should you start antiviral treatment for optimal results? Ideally, treatment should begin within 72 hours of symptom onset.

At-Home Treatment Options

In addition to prescribed antiviral medications, several at-home treatments can help alleviate pain and itching associated with shingles:

• Applying cool compresses to the affected area
• Taking over-the-counter pain relievers
• Using calamine lotion to soothe itching
• Taking oatmeal baths

It’s important to keep the blisters covered to prevent spreading the virus to individuals who have never had chickenpox. This precaution is particularly crucial for pregnant women, newborns, and those with weakened immune systems.

Vaccination: A Powerful Tool in Shingles Prevention

While stress management and prompt treatment are important, vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to reduce your risk of developing shingles. Dr. Thaker strongly recommends the shingles vaccine for eligible individuals.

Who should consider getting the shingles vaccine? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the vaccine for adults 50 years and older. Additionally, it’s available for individuals 19 and older with certain conditions that weaken their immune systems.

The current shingles vaccine, Shingrix, is highly effective in preventing shingles and its complications. It’s administered in two doses, given 2 to 6 months apart. Even if you’ve had shingles before, you can still benefit from the vaccine to help prevent future occurrences.

The Long-Term Impact of Shingles: Understanding Postherpetic Neuralgia

While shingles itself typically clears up within a few weeks, some individuals may experience long-term complications. Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication, affecting approximately 10-18% of people who develop shingles.

What is postherpetic neuralgia and how does it affect patients? PHN is characterized by persistent nerve pain in the area where the shingles rash occurred, even after the rash has healed. This pain can last for months or even years, significantly impacting quality of life.

Risk Factors for Developing PHN

• Age (more common in older adults)
• Severity of the initial shingles outbreak
• Delayed or inadequate treatment of shingles
• Certain medical conditions (e.g., diabetes)

Early treatment of shingles with antiviral medications can help reduce the risk of developing PHN. For those who do develop PHN, various treatment options are available, including topical treatments, nerve blocks, and certain medications typically used for depression or seizures that have shown effectiveness in managing nerve pain.

Shingles and Immune System Function: A Delicate Balance

The relationship between shingles and the immune system is complex and multifaceted. While stress can weaken the immune system and potentially trigger shingles, other factors affecting immune function can also play a role.

What other factors can impact immune function and potentially increase the risk of shingles? Several conditions and circumstances can affect immune system strength:

• Certain medications (e.g., chemotherapy drugs, long-term corticosteroids)
• HIV/AIDS
• Organ transplantation
• Chronic diseases (e.g., cancer, autoimmune disorders)
• Poor nutrition
• Lack of sleep

Maintaining overall health and a strong immune system through proper nutrition, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management can help reduce the risk of shingles reactivation. For individuals with compromised immune systems, extra precautions and close monitoring by healthcare providers may be necessary.

The Social Impact of Shingles: Beyond Physical Symptoms

While the physical symptoms of shingles are well-documented, the social and emotional impact of the condition is often overlooked. How does shingles affect a person’s daily life and social interactions?

The pain and discomfort associated with shingles can significantly impact a person’s ability to work, engage in social activities, and maintain their usual routines. Additionally, the fear of spreading the virus to others can lead to social isolation during the active phase of the infection.

Potential Social and Emotional Impacts of Shingles

• Missed work or school days
• Reduced participation in social activities
• Anxiety about spreading the virus
• Depression due to chronic pain (in cases of PHN)
• Strained relationships due to mood changes or inability to engage in usual activities

Support from family, friends, and healthcare providers is crucial during recovery from shingles. For those experiencing significant emotional distress or social challenges due to shingles or its complications, counseling or support groups may be beneficial.

Future Directions in Shingles Research and Prevention

As our understanding of shingles and its relationship to stress and immune function continues to evolve, researchers are exploring new avenues for prevention and treatment. What are some promising areas of shingles research?

• Development of more effective antiviral treatments
• Exploration of new vaccine technologies
• Investigation of genetic factors that may influence shingles susceptibility
• Research into novel treatments for postherpetic neuralgia
• Studies on the long-term effectiveness of the current shingles vaccine

These ongoing research efforts hold promise for improving shingles prevention and management in the future. As new findings emerge, it’s important for individuals to stay informed and discuss the latest prevention and treatment options with their healthcare providers.

In conclusion, while stress may indeed play a role in triggering shingles, it’s just one piece of a complex puzzle. By understanding the connection between stress and shingles, recognizing symptoms early, managing stress effectively, and taking advantage of available preventive measures like vaccination, individuals can reduce their risk of developing this painful condition. As always, maintaining open communication with healthcare providers and staying informed about the latest developments in shingles research and treatment is crucial for optimal health management.

Can stress trigger shingles?

Can too much stress cause you to develop shingles? Pratik Thaker, M.D., a Piedmont family medicine physician, explains what causes shingles, when to seek medical care and how to treat symptoms.

What is shingles?

Shingles is a painful, blistering rash that typically develops on one side of the face or body. It’s estimated that one in three people in the United States will have shingles at some point in their lives. And if you’ve ever had chickenpox, you’re at risk.

“Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus,” says Dr. Thaker. “Once you’ve recovered from chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in your spinal cord and can reactivate at any time.”

Your risk of developing shingles increases as you get older. And, unfortunately, it’s possible to get shingles more than once.

Why stress increases the risk of shingles

“Stress can increase your risk of developing shingles,” says Dr. Thaker. “A severe amount of stress can weaken the immune system, which can allow the virus to reactivate.”

You can help manage stress through activities like:

• Yoga

• Meditation

• Journaling

• Regular exercise

• Talking with a counselor or coach

• Eating a well-balanced diet

• Getting enough sleep

• Making time for activities you enjoy

• Spending time with loved ones and pets

Symptoms of shingles

“The onset of symptoms is the biggest difference between chickenpox and shingles,” says Dr. Thaker. “A chickenpox rash is usually diffused through the body, while shingles usually develops on one side of the face or body.”

Shingles symptoms can start before you develop a rash. Warning signs include itching, tingling or pain where the rash will soon appear.

When the rash develops, it typically causes painful blisters that scab over after a week to 10 days. Shingles usually completely clears up within two to four weeks.

Other symptoms of shingles can include:

• Upset stomach

• Headache

• Chills

• Fever

“Shingles is most concerning when it develops on the face,” he says. “If it gets in the eye, it can potentially cause vision loss.”

What to do if you have shingles symptoms

If you notice any of the above symptoms, contact your primary care provider or urgent care right away.

“Your provider can get you on an antiviral treatment ASAP,” says Dr. Thaker.

Early antiviral treatment is crucial because it can reduce your risk of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). PHN can cause severe nerve pain in the area where shingles developed, even after the rash has cleared.

He also recommends at-home treatments to relieve pain and itching, including:

Keep your blisters covered to avoid spreading the varicella-zoster virus to people who have never had chickenpox.

How to reduce your risk of shingles

Dr. Thaker says getting the shingles vaccine can help reduce your risk.

“If you’re 50 or older, talk to your doctor about the shingles vaccine,” he says. “It’s also available for people who are 19 and older with certain conditions that weaken their immune systems.”

We make getting great health care simple and convenient. Schedule an appointment today through your Piedmont MyChart account or our website.

Shingles and Stress: Is There a Connection?

Research suggests stress may be a risk factor for herpes zoster, also known as shingles.

Overview

Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a common viral infection. It causes a large, painful rash with blisters. The rash usually appears on one side of the body. It commonly forms on the torso or face, often near the eye.

You’re at risk for shingles if you’ve ever had chickenpox. That’s because the varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox, is also responsible for shingles. The virus remains dormant inside your body after having chickenpox. In some people, the virus reactivates later in life, leading to shingles. This can happen many years, or even decades after having chickenpox.

Shingles can occur in people of any age, but it usually affects older adults. About 1 in 3 people in the United States gets shingles at some point during their lifetime.

It isn’t clear why the varicella-zoster virus reactivates in some people and not others. People often think of stress as a trigger for shingles, but some new research has looked at this link further. Keep reading to learn more about this connection.

Most people will feel stress at some point in their life. Catastrophic events, such as the death of a spouse or loss of a job can increase stress levels significantly. This may have an impact on overall health, feelings of depression, and the immune system.

Some researchers think that a weakened immune system can reactivate the varicella-zoster virus. Since stress affects the immune system, many researchers believe that stress could be a trigger for shingles.

Researchers in multiple studies have linked chronic, daily stress, and highly stressful life events as risk factors for shingles. Some studies indicate that stress might be a risk factor if other factors are present, such as advancing age, mood disorders, and poor diet. These might also negatively affect the immune system.

Researchers in a recent study have reexamined the relationship between stress and shingles. This study examined data from over 39,000 people experiencing stressful events in their lives, including death or decline in health of their spouses. Researchers didn’t find a connection between stress and shingles.

Scientists differ in their opinions on the relationship between stress and shingles, but most people agree that stress has an effect on the body. Researchers have linked stress, particularly when severe or long-term, to a wide range of issues, including:

• gastrointestinal issues
• high blood pressure
• obesity
• heart disease
• diabetes
• difficulty sleeping
• chest pain
• headaches
• changes in sex drive
• changes in mood, including increasing feelings of anger, sadness, or anxiety
• overeating or undereating
• substance abuse

The main risk factor for getting shingles is having had chickenpox, although people who have gotten the chickenpox vaccine may still be at risk.

Another risk factor is age. Children, teenagers, and young adults can get shingles, but most people who have outbreaks, are over 50 years old.

A weakened immune system may also trigger shingles. Good nutrition and getting enough sleep are important because they may help keep your immune system strong.

Some medical conditions and their treatments can adversely affect the immune system, making you more susceptible to shingles. They include:

• HIV
• immunotherapy treatment for people who’ve had organ transplants
• cancer
• cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation

Shingles often starts with a burning, tingling, or painful sensation along one side of the torso or head. Within one to five days, a rash will appear. Within a few days, the rash will turn into fluid-filled blisters. The blisters will start to dry up about a week later, and will begin to disappear over the next several weeks. Some people only experience mild itching, but others have intense pain.

If you think you may have shingles, see your doctor as soon as possible, especially if you see blisters on your face or near your eye. Shingles can cause hearing or vision loss, especially if you don’t get treatment for it.

No matter where your rash appears, you should seek medical treatment quickly. Your doctor can make a diagnosis and prescribe treatments to help the blisters dry up and heal. This can reduce the duration of the outbreak and your discomfort.

No cure is available for shingles, but most people who have an outbreak get it only once.

Doing the following at home may help you to feel more comfortable:

• Get lots of rest.
• Use cool washcloths on your rash.
• Take oatmeal baths.
• Keep your stress to a minimum.

You should keep the rash covered and wash your hands often to reduce the risk of spreading the infection. Shingles isn’t contagious, but you can give someone chickenpox while you have it.

Shingles may last from two to six weeks. Sometimes, the pain associated with shingles may linger. This ongoing pain is called post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). PHN usually becomes less severe over time. Your doctor will be able to prescribe pain reduction medications that can also help.

Studies on the link between shingles and stress seem to contradict each other. This isn’t unusual, but it can make it difficult to figure out what it all means. Talk to your doctor about getting the shingles vaccine. Finding ways to reduce stress and anxiety may also be beneficial.

Reducing or eliminating stress from your life may not guarantee that you won’t get shingles, but it will make you healthier. Experimenting with different techniques for stress can help you find what works for you. Try these techniques to reduce stress:

• Identify and avoid the things that trigger your stress. Consider keeping a journal of your moods and possible triggers.
• Wind down before sleep. Reading a book, turning off the computer, and creating a bedtime routine may help.
• Turn mealtimes into social rituals with people you like, complete with conversation, soft music, and healthy, well-prepared food.
• Spend time with your pet or someone else’s pet if you like animals.
• Turn off your phone.
• Spend time in nature or taking quiet walks in peaceful surroundings.
• Practice meditation.
• Try yoga.
• Join a support group.
• Practice deep breathing exercises.

You can also add regular exercise into your daily routine. Walking, riding a bicycle, or going for a hike are examples of exercises that you may be able to incorporate into your routine

Can stress cause shingles? – Drink-Drink

Overview

Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a common viral infection. Causes a large painful rash with blisters. The rash usually appears on one side of the body. It usually forms on the trunk or face, often near the eyes.

If you have ever had chickenpox, you are at risk of getting shingles. This is because the varicella-zoster virus that causes chickenpox also causes shingles. The virus remains dormant inside your body after having chickenpox. In some people, the virus reactivates later in life, resulting in shingles. This can happen many years or even decades after having chickenpox.

Shingles can occur in people of any age, but usually affects the elderly. About 1 in 3 people in the United States develop shingles at some point in their lives.

It is unclear why the varicella-zoster virus reactivates in some people and not others. People often think that stress triggers shingles, but some new research is looking deeper into the link. Keep reading to find out more about this connection.

Stress and shingles

Most people experience stress at some point in their lives. Catastrophic events, such as the death of a spouse or the loss of a job, can greatly increase stress levels. This can affect overall health, feelings of depression, and the immune system.

Some researchers believe that a weakened immune system can reactivate the varicella-zoster virus. Since stress affects the immune system, many researchers believe that stress may be a trigger for shingles.

Researchers in several studies have linked chronic, daily stress and highly stressful life events as risk factors for shingles. Some research suggests that stress can be a risk factor when other factors are present, such as advanced age, mood disorders, and an unhealthy diet. They can also negatively affect the immune system.

Researchers in a recent study reexamined the link between stress and shingles. This study examined data from more than 39,000 people who have experienced stressful events in their lives, including the death or deterioration in the health of their spouses. The researchers found no link between stress and shingles.

The effect of stress on your body

Scientists disagree about the link between stress and shingles, but most people agree that stress affects the body. Researchers have linked stress, especially severe or prolonged stress, to a wide range of problems, including:

• gastrointestinal problems
• high blood pressure
• obesity
• heart disease
• diabetes
• Difficulty sleeping
• chest pain

900 27 headaches

• changes in sexual desire
• mood changes, including increased feelings anger, sadness or anxiety
• overeating or malnutrition
• substance abuse

shingles triggers and risk factors

A major risk factor for contracting shingles is having chickenpox, although people who have received the chickenpox vaccine may still be at risk.

Another risk factor is age. Children, teens, and young adults can get shingles, but most people who have flare-ups are over 50 years of age.

A weakened immune system can also cause shingles. Good nutrition and adequate sleep are important because they can help boost your immune system.

Some diseases and their treatments can negatively affect the immune system, making you more susceptible to shingles. These include:

• HIV
• immunotherapy for organ transplant recipients
• Oncology
• cancer treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation

What are the symptoms of shingles?

Herpes zoster often begins with a burning, stinging, or sore sensation along one side of the trunk or head. A rash appears within one to five days. After a few days, the rash will turn into blisters filled with fluid. The blisters will begin to dry up in about a week and will begin to disappear over the next few weeks. Some people only experience mild itching, but others experience intense pain.

If you think you may have shingles, see your doctor as soon as possible, especially if you see blisters on your face or near your eyes. Shingles can lead to hearing or vision loss, especially if you are not treated for it.

No matter where you develop a rash, you should seek medical attention quickly. Your doctor can diagnose and prescribe treatments to help the blisters dry up and heal. This can reduce the duration of the outbreak and your discomfort.

How is shingles treated?

There is no cure for shingles, but most people who have an outbreak only get it once.

Doing the following things at home can help you feel more comfortable:

• Get plenty of rest.
• Use cool washcloths for rashes.
• Take oatmeal baths.
• Keep stress to a minimum.

You should cover the rash and wash your hands frequently to reduce the risk of spreading the infection. Shingles is not contagious, but you can give someone chickenpox while you have it.

Shingles can last from two to six weeks. Sometimes the pain associated with shingles may persist. This persistent pain is called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). PHN usually gets less severe over time. Your doctor will be able to prescribe pain medications, which may also help.

Outlook

Research on the link between shingles and stress seems to be contradictory. This is not unusual, but it can make it difficult to understand what it all means. Talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated against shingles. Finding ways to reduce stress and anxiety can also be helpful.

What can you do to avoid stress?

Reducing or eliminating stress from your life may not guarantee you won’t get shingles, but it will make you healthier. By experimenting with different stress relief techniques, you can find what works for you. Try these methods to reduce stress:

• Identify and avoid things that cause stress. Consider keeping a diary of your mood and possible triggers.
• Relax before bed. Reading a book, shutting down the computer, and staying in bed can help.
• Turn mealtimes into social rituals with the people you like, combined with conversations, quiet music and healthy, well-cooked meals.
• Spend time with your pet or someone else’s pet if you like animals.
• Turn off your phone.
• Spend time in nature or take a quiet walk.
• Practice meditation.
• Try yoga.
• Join a support group.
• Practice deep breathing exercises.

You can also add regular exercise to your daily routine. Walking, cycling or hiking are examples of exercises that you can incorporate into your daily routine.

Does the coronavirus vaccine cause shingles? – DW – 02/11/2022

HealthGlobal topics

Gudrun Heise | Marina Baranovskaya

02/11/2022 February 11, 2022

There are claims on social media that vaccination against coronavirus can cause herpes zoster. Is it true? DW on what is known so far.

https://p.dw.com/p/p/46omg

, with a lichen lichen on the skin, a rash appears in the form of small blisters photos: Chromorange/Imago Images Advertising

Supply Herpes (Herpes Zoster), also known as the gorders darling lichen is a disease of a viral nature, in which blisters appear on the skin, and with a strong pain syndrome. Recently, in social networks, you can often find posts stating that a vaccine against coronavirus can trigger the onset of this disease. Is it true?

The German Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI), which is responsible for vaccine registration and monitoring in Germany, denies this possibility. Back in September 2021, the institute published a study report that listed all the possible side effects that occur after being vaccinated with coronavirus drugs.

The study authors compared the incidence of side effects, as well as their occurrence in vaccinated and unvaccinated people. The study was conducted for eight months: from December 27, 2020 to August 31, 2021. Shingles was not on the list of side effects after the coronavirus vaccine.

“Based on the number of reports received by PEI, there was no signal of risk of the relevant disease within 14 and 30 days after injection with four certified COVID-19 vaccines,” the organization said in a report.

A letter to DW from the Paul Ehrlich Institute says even more clearly: “At present, there is no risk signal in Germany or in the entire EU that any of the COVID-19 vaccines cause shingles.”

Thomas Bieber, head of the department of dermatology and allergology at the University Hospital in Bonn, is also convinced of this. “There is nothing to indicate that vaccination against coronavirus – just like infection with SARS-CoV-2 – has any effect on the outbreak of herpes zoster. The simultaneous occurrence of these diseases can only be explained by coincidence,” explains Bieber.

Herpes zoster secondary to the varicella zoster virus

Herpes zoster is a precursor to chickenpox or varicella, a common childhood disease. It is characterized by the appearance on the skin and mucous membranes of an itchy rash in the form of small blisters. If scratched, they may leave scars. The causative agent of chickenpox is the Varicella Zoster virus, which belongs to the family of herpes viruses.

Herpes zoster and varicella are caused by the same virus Photo: loflo69/Panthermedia/imago images

The immune system of children usually copes well with this pathogen and is able to fight it effectively. However, the danger lies in the fact that even after the end of the acute phase and the healing of the blisters, the virus remains latent in the nerve nodes for life. He is always in a kind of hidden position and is ready to be activated again at any moment. And if this happens, the virus causes shingles, accompanied by severe neuralgic pains.

In principle, shingles can occur anywhere on the body. However, usually rashes appear on the body, covering it with a belt. In some cases, the skin of the head or face may also be affected, which in the long term is dangerous for the development of post-zoster neuralgia, accompanied by severe pain.

Psychological and physical stress can be triggers

The dormant varicella-zoster virus can be reactivated by a variety of factors, chief among which is the weakening of the immune system, which loses the ability to resist the attacking pathogen.

There are many reasons why the immune system is weakened. One of them is stress: not only physical, but also psychological. Severe stress can reactivate the Varicella Zoster virus and cause shingles.

People over 60 are particularly susceptible to this disease, as the immune system’s resistance decreases with age. 50 percent of all patients with herpes zoster are in this age group.

Risk group – people with autoimmune diseases

An Israeli team concluded that mRNA vaccines from Moderna and BioNTech/Pfizer can activate shingles in a limited number of patients. Their study involved people with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRD), a typical manifestation of a weakened immune system.

Researchers from the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv and the Carmel Medical Center in Haifa followed 491 patients and 99 control participants in the study. Six patients with AIIRD developed herpes zoster after vaccination with the mRNA vaccine.

The study team concluded that “Epidemiological studies on the safety of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in patients with AIIRD are needed to clarify the relationship between vaccination with the BioNTech/Pfizer mRNA product and reactivation of the Varicella Zoster virus.”

The German Vaccination Commission recommends vaccination against herpes zoster from the age of 60 Photo: David Cheskin/PA Wire/empics/picture alliance

Swissmedic, the Swiss Therapeutic Products Agency responsible for drug monitoring and control, also reported 214 cases of herpes zoster after vaccination with BioNTech/Pfizer’s Comirnaty mRNA vaccine. Observation was carried out for 11,467 vaccinated patients. However, it remains unclear whether the mRNA vaccines actually “triggered” the reactivation of the Varicella Zoster virus, Swissmedic notes.