According to the latest available data from the Census Reporter, the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX, metro area was home to 8.1 million people (as of the American Community Survey 2023). Of these individuals, 12%, or about 972,000, are adults 65 and older.
As the Arlington area's older adult population grows, so will the number of seniors who may acquire infectious diseases, such as shingles.
The good news is that the shingles vaccine can help reduce the risk of older adults acquiring this viral illness. So please read on, as the kind and caring team at Morada Lake Arlington, our senior living community in Arlington, TX, will explore insights into this infection, how inoculation helps, and strategies for preventive health seniors should implement in this shingles awareness guide.
Also known as "herpes zoster," shingles is an infection caused by the virus called "varicella-zoster virus (VZV)." It's the same pathogen (disease-causing microorganism) that causes chickenpox.
Shingles most often manifests as a painful, red rash filled with fluid. Other symptoms can accompany it, including:
Anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles, usually in later life.
Only people who've ever had chickenpox can get shingles.
However, as the Louisiana Department of Health points out, over 99% of Americans born before 1980 have had it. It remained common in the U.S. until the 1990s, with four million people on average catching it yearly and 10,000 getting hospitalized. It became less prevalent after the introduction of the chickenpox vaccine in the country in 1995.
In individuals who've had chickenpox, VZV can remain dormant for decades. Dormant means inactive and not in the phase of active replication. You can think of it as the virus "sleeping" in the host's cells.
When the host's immune system weakens, which is a characteristic of aging, VZV can "resurface" and cause shingles. It's prevalent; the U.S. CDC says one in three Americans experiences it at least once.
Adults aged 50 and older should consider getting the two doses of the CDC-recommended recombinant zoster vaccine to lower their risk of getting shingles and experiencing its related complications. The vaccine, marketed under the brand name "Shingrix," works by:
Research supports the effectiveness of the zoster vaccine in aging adults. One study published in the journal Vaccine found that its overall efficacy in preventing shingles was 97.2% in adults over 50 years old and 91.3% in seniors over 70 years.
Although rare, shingles can be fatal, making its vaccines for older adults in Arlington, TX (or anywhere else for that matter), essential. Even if it's not deadly for most people, it can still cause complications, including the following.
The most common complication of shingles is Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN), a type of nerve pain that can occur in the area where the shingles rash developed.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, PHN affects around 10% to 18% of people who've had shingles. In some people, the pain can go away within one to three months, but in others (one in five), it lasts for over a year.
The pain caused by PHN can also be so severe that it causes disruptions in a person's life. Seniors are already at risk of many other health conditions, from diabetes and stroke to vision health problems. They wouldn't want something else to add to the list of chronic conditions, which is why they should consider getting vaccinated against shingles.
Another reason to get vaccinated is to minimize the risk of pneumonia and encephalitis. Pneumonia is a lung infection, while encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain. Although both are rare complications of shingles, they can be dangerous, even deadly, especially to seniors.
Experiencing constant pain, such as from PHN, can contribute to seniors developing unhealthy coping skills and habits. They may misuse pain medication or substances, such as alcohol, to ease and "forget" the pain.
People exposed to individuals with shingles won't get shingles. However, they may acquire VZV if they have never had chickenpox. It can then put them at risk of developing the disease and shingles in later life.
The risk is higher if the exposed person hasn't had the chickenpox and shingles vaccination.
Good hygiene habits, including frequent handwashing and showering, can help prevent the spread of many germs, including VZV. Cleaning and sanitizing one's home, especially for seniors who've just had shingles, can also help lower the risk of transmission.
It's also wise for older adults to maintain a healthy lifestyle to improve and even strengthen their immune system. The stronger it is, the better it can fight off the reactivation of VZV.
An example is engaging in regular physical activity. Even moderate-intensity exercises, such as brisk walking and cycling, can help strengthen the immune system if done regularly.
Enjoying a well-balanced diet rich in whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can also help. They provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support healthy immunity.
Another is getting at least seven to nine hours of good-quality sleep each night. The body recovers and heals itself during this time, helping the immune system maintain its infection-fighting capabilities.
The consensus is that the shingles vaccine is the most effective way to prevent or reduce one's risk of developing this viral infection. Because it's painful and can cause potentially life-threatening complications, seniors should consider getting inoculated.
Morada Lake Arlington, our senior living community in Arlington, TX, is always happy and ready to support our residents' healthy aging. We specialize in high-quality independent living, assisted living, and memory care services. We've designed our amenities, which include personal care, healthy dining, fitness programming, and housekeeping, to help seniors in their wellness journey.
If you or an aging loved one is ready to move to a warm and loving retirement village, we invite you to call us today and book a tour of Morada Lake Arlington!