Shingles Can Lead to Chickenpox in Children; Doctor Explains Vaccine Options

Shingles, a painful condition often referred to as 'pi she' in Taiwan, poses a significant health risk, particularly for grandparents and parents caring for children. Dr. Su Hong-ji, a family medicine physician, highlights that weakened immune systems, often due to irregular sleep, fatigue, or stress, can allow the dormant varicella-zoster virus to reactivate.

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The pain level of this 'postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)' can be comparable to childbirth pain or surgical pain when it flares up.

This reactivation can lead to shingles, characterized by painful blisters and nerve pain. The doctor emphasizes that the pain from postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a common complication, can be as severe as childbirth or surgical pain and can persist for years. Crucially, adults with active shingles can transmit the virus to unvaccinated children, causing them to develop chickenpox.

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If an adult's shingles outbreak accidentally exposes infants at home who have not yet received the chickenpox vaccine or completed two doses, the child will be infected; their initial infection will manifest as a direct and severe outbreak of 'chickenpox.'

While older live-attenuated vaccines have limitations, newer recombinant vaccines like Shingrix are highly recommended. These vaccines offer robust protection against shingles and significantly reduce the incidence of PHN. Although the initial cost may be higher, the long-term benefits, including avoiding chronic pain, expensive treatments, and disruptions to daily life, present a high return on investment. Dr. Su advises individuals, especially those under high pressure or with chronic conditions, to consult their doctor about vaccination.

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The most effective strategy is to directly prevent its occurrence.