Henry David Thoreau gave us the good advice to live deliberately. His time was long ago, but he was ahead of it, in my opinion. In order to do this—Live Deliberately— good health is essential. The health of our cells plays a key role in our health throughout our lives.
You may know about, or recently have seen in the media, much ado about the shingles virus. Folks who have had the chickenpox at some time in their lives carry the shingles virus dormant in their bodies, in nerve cells of the nervous system. Generally, people over the age of 60 are most likely to become ill with shingles. It’s not definite; if you are over 60, you may be at risk for shingles. Then again, you may not experience the virus.
Good news for you, over the age of 60, there is a vaccine, Zostavax vaccine. You may recall from my previous post about measles that I think vaccinations are like chicken soup something that is good for mind and body in a healthy, preventative way. Of course, everyone should consult a physician or nurse practitioner for evaluation about the zostavax vaccine being right for you.
Interesting to note: varicella, also known as chickenpox, was named to distinguish it from its ugly cousin smallpox. Chickenpox is akin to chickenhearted, weak and not threatening. For most people, this is the case where chickenpox is concerned. Smallpox is another virus altogether and not to be taken lightly. If you are reading this blog, you know that.
Shingles blisters appear in a band or ray fashion across an area of skin as a rash. Shingles are an inflammatory response of nerves and skin that originates with the varicella virus; chickenpox. There are many valid websites to consult about the shingles virus. I advocate being informed consumers of the medical sciences and arts. I recommend MedicineNet.com or the Centers for Disease Control. Regardless of where you find your information, please be certain it is a credible source. Use it as a preface to dialogue—deliberately, Mr. Thoreau might say, with your health care professional.
Karen Julius is a health and wellness communicator, writing about health issues and policy decisions that affect health.
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Karen Julius is a health and wellness communicator, writing about health issues and policy decisions that affect health.
