Many times a side effect and a reaction can be similar and for most purposes they are. However, the difference is usually defined by the severity of the reaction the person is having to the vaccine. When you discuss a side effect with someone, they usually think of getting a shot and having a small red area or whelp for a day or two and then it goes away. This is true for the most part with the majority of the side effects that have been encountered by people that have taken the shingles vaccine.

The issue of contention comes into play when the degree of the problem becomes more serious or presents itself more acutely. If you have the shingles vaccine and you are fine for a couple of days and then begin to feel the flu like symptoms that have been reported with the vaccine, then chances are you are experiencing a side effect.

If you have taken the vaccine shot and within a few minutes to a couple of hours you are experiencing difficulty breathing or break out into hives or serious rash, then you are more than likely having a reaction to the shot. You could classify the reaction as an allergic reaction depending upon if you are allergic to the vaccine or not. Most people that have reported side effects or reactions did not report anything that would have been found to be an allergic reaction, from what I have found during researching this topic.

The main thing to remember is if you are in doubt about any problems you might be experiencing or think you are having a side effect or reaction, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor or seek emergency treatment. Also, one of the best things that you can do prior to getting the shingles vaccine is to thoroughly discuss the side effects and your medical history with your doctor to make sure that you are a good candidate for the vaccine. This might help point out any potential problems that your specific medical history would make more obvious.

Learn more about the Shingles Vaccine. It’s risks, rewards, side effects and more.

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The leading medication for the treatment of shingles is a medicine called Zostavax.  This medicine has shown promise in the treatment of shingles disease.  Most of the common side effects that have been experienced are runny noses, respiratory infections and redness or soreness at the injection site.  While these are not the inclusive side effects, these are some of the more common ones.

The shingles vaccine has been studied, as according to FDA guidelines, for several years before being release for use. While most people reported no or minor side effects, some more serious side effects were also reported. This is no negative look at the medications that were used because each individual person is different in what they might react to. Also, each person could have other medical conditions or medications that they were taking that could have caused the reactions.

In these studies, the side effects that occur in a group of people who received the vaccine are documented and are then compared to side effects that occur in another group of people who received a placebo injection (with no active ingredients). This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group who received a placebo.

Some other side effects that were experienced were fevers, flu like symptoms, rashes, diarrhea and headaches. Some of the more serious symptoms that you might experience should really be reported to your doctor should you have the shingles vaccine and have the side effects.

Side effects such as a rash that looks like chicken pox, heart problems such as palpitations, chest pain or a heart attack, asthma or difficulty breathing or stiffness in the neck, shoulders or hips. Any signs of an allergic reaction should also be reported to your doctor as well. Those signs or symptoms would include shortness of breath, unexplained rashes or hives, swelling, or difficulty swallowing.

In all, the shingles vaccine is a good alternative to living with the shingles disease. It will help prevent future outbreaks and the pain and itching that is associated with them. If you are considering getting the shingles vaccine, you should check with your doctor for more information and advice regarding this popular treatment.

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