Well, it never ends. Another new theory on what causes Alzheimer's Disease. I put the direct link up on the home page under Breaking News, but you can copy and paste this: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33191472/ns/health-alzheimers_disease/
Nor did my husband. If 90% of people have the virus, wouldn't it stand to reason that most people with AD would have it? I think the criticisms in the article make more sense than the theory that the virus causes AD.
My husband never had cold sores, either. I suppose everybody has a right to "guess" what causes AD and a lot of people are guessing but nobody knows, do they?
Oh, good grief! When DH's AD really began to take hold, I came down with shingles (the doc said it was the worst case he'd seen in 30 yrs of practice, not an award I was happy to receive, it was diabolically painful). I cannot remember all he told me, but essentially if you've had chicken pox as a child, it's like the herpes virus & stays in your system. Under stress, it can come out as shingles when you're an adult. Chicken pox, shingles, cold sores, styes, & other eye infections have a connection to the herpes virus but not all exactly the same symptoms. Don't take my word for this, I've forgotten so much I could be way off base, and I still occasionally get a bit of residual pain on my side where I had shingles, but never any more breakouts. However, neither my DH nor I ever had any cold sores, styes, etc. If he had chicken pox as a child I wouldn't know. The herpes virus seems to be like an umbrella virus for many different conditions, but I wouldn't put any money on it's being responsible for AD.
Cause and effect? Questionable. I think the studies were too small to carry such a finding. Indicate it, maybe. Point to a possible connection sure. Should this line of research be pursued? Yes. Until a definite relationship is estabished orrefuted.
My drug store has a big sign on the door - advertising "Medicare Approved Shingles Vaccination". Maybe I should get one. I had chicken pox, remember it well, still have one scar on my cheek bone from a 'pox'.
DH had some fever blisterrs (as we called them). mmmm. Of course, I didn't kiss him when he had one, because we believe they can be passed back and forth.
So if this is true, then there IS a vaccine. I've never heard whether or not the shingles vaccine would be effective if one already has it in one's system, which most people do.
I'm periodically waiting and checking on availability for the shingles vaccine. Weird thing is, to get it you need a Dr.'s prescription, but get the shot from the pharmacy, and the Pharmacies have to have some kind of training/certification to administer it. That's what I'm waiing on, because we can't go just here there or anywhere to get it. If you've had Chicken Pox the virus is in your body. The vaccine prevents it from reawakening (Shingles).
I want no part of it myself, and sure don't want to have to deal with DH having it.
Carosi – "I want no part of it myself, and sure don't want to have to deal with DH having it." Exactly my thinking, and why I made sure DH got the vaccine. We actually were on a waiting list for months at the pharmacy for his shot, because they couldn't get enough of it. I've heard that your risk for shingles increases after age 60, and for my next birthday (the BIG 6-0), I'm saving up money so I can get the vaccine, too. Either one of us having it would be just too terrible to even think about.
DH's doctor didn't suggest the shingles vaccine. It was something I read about on my own. But when I asked his opinion, he immediately said, "Absolutely get him the vaccine. Here's the prescription!" That did make me feel better about wanting to do it. It's hard to make all these medical decisions when I don't have medical training.
Nancy B, in Kentucky where I came from, we called them fever blisters, too. It was only when we moved to Michigan that I heard the term "cold sores." My DH gets cold sores, I do not. I remember that my dad got them, but he died at age 62 from cancer.
I got the shingles shot last year at age 53 because I had chicken pox as an adult which increases the risk. I have heard, I think, that they do recommend it for people who have had shingles.
I got shingles in my ears--of all places--when I was 28 yrs old--7 months pregnant with my twins. I thought I'd go mad with the pain. Never want that again. I ended up in the hospital. I remember very little about that. But the twins were born 4 weeks early.
DH had shingles as a young adult when he was in service. Do we still need the shingles shot?
DW and I both had the shingles vaccine as soon as it became available. If you have had chicken pox the virus is in you but dormant. Any slight upset of your system can bring it out again as shingles, which you DO NOT want. The vaccine helps prevent this.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults age 60 and older should receive the shingles vaccine (Zostavax), whether or not they have had shingles previously. The vaccine is not approved for use in adults younger than age 60. Also, adults with certain kinds of immune deficiencies should not receive the shingles vaccine.
The vaccine is approved for people over 60,which I am.My insurance company told me they only pay for those under 60--go figure.I went to our county health department to get the shot.The shingles vaccine cost me $165.00.I got many cold sores after a couple days and they lasted for some time.Outside of that no other side effects.I read somewhere the vaccine only reduces your risk by 50%.
What is your insurance company? I might call them again and see if the person you spoke with got it backward...Just as with the IRS..call three times and get three different answers.
My Medicare/Insurance company combined pay for the shot. Period. I am getting my shingles shot on Dec. 2nd. I knew very little about this until yesterday..and the more I read about it the worse it is. I called the doctor's nurse (I already had the appt. scheduled)..and she said that she'd note the file and yes! Dr. Spellman recommends this shot to everyone over 60.