People with shingles and a poor immune system
If you have a poor immune system (immunosuppression) and develop shingles, then see your doctor straight away. You will normally be given antiviral medication whatever your age, and will be monitored closely for complications. People with a poor immune system include:
- People taking high dose steroids. (This means adults taking 40 mg prednisolone (steroid tablets) per day for more than one week in the previous three months. Or, children who have taken steroids within the past three months, equivalent to prednisolone 2 mg/kg per day for at least one week, or 1 mg/kg per day for one month.)
- People on lower doses of steroids in combination with other immunosuppressant medicines.
- People taking anti-arthritis medicines that can affect the bone marrow (for example, adalimumab, anakinra, azathioprine, ciclosporin, cyclophosphamide, etanercept, gold, infliximab, leflunomide, methotrexate, penicillamine, sulfasalazine).
- People being treated with chemotherapy or generalised radiotherapy, or who have had these treatments within the past six months.
- People who have had an organ transplant and are on immunosuppressive treatment.
- People who have had a bone marrow transplant and who are still immunosuppressed.
- People with impaired cell immunity (for example, severe combined immune deficiency syndromes, DiGeorge syndrome).
- People with HIV infection who have symptoms, or have a low CD4 count without symptoms.
More help and advice
- Expert advice on shingles
- How to relieve the pain of shingles
- Read Joanne's story: 'A jabbing pain turned out to be shingles'
- Check out the full facts about chickenpox
© EMIS and PIP 2005 Updated: November 2005 PRODIGY Validated
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Cecile Walker, 12 months [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.]
this is my second comment - seemed to have lost the first so here goes again... Now aged 70 I am just recoverimg from my second attack of shingles - first one was 7 years ago. At neither of these times was my condition diagnosed by GP or so-called "Specialists" in hospital. In the event, I was diagnosed, OVER THE PHONE - by a relative, a Consultant Physian living/working in USA - where much more research has been carried out on this horrible disease.When I told NHS people I had discovered what the condition was , they refused to accept it and prescribed PREDNISOLONE!! Yes, really! Needless to say I have suffered agonies as a result of this - also experienced PHN both times - it is a disgrace that NHS people cannot recognise the symptoms - and should be properly trained/re-trained to correct this defect. I have found out for myself that I am too old for the vaccine to be effective (even if it were available in this country which I doubt) but now am looking into natural remedies, understand Lycine combined with certain other natural products (still researching these!) can be effective. I sympathise enormously with anyone out there who has endured this dreadful condition - especially those who like myself had internal organs (kidneys/bladder/intestines) affected - this kind of pain is UNBEARABLE. But take heart - keep up the pressure and hopefully one day our NHS will get its act together and do some meaningful research into how to deal with Herpes Zoster. Good luck to any other sufferers!