Chickenpox Vaccine

Chickenpox (also called varicella) is a common childhood disease, and can be contracted also as an adult. After the initial infection, the varicella zoster virus lies dormant in the nervous system. A lowering of one's immunity can cause reactivation of the virus leading to shingles, of which RHS is a complication.

Chickenpox vaccine can prevent chickenpox. Most people who get chickenpox vaccine will not get chickenpox, thus will not harbor the virus that can later cause RHS.

Shingles Vaccine

Clinical trials have proven that the Zostavax vaccine reduces the risk of shingles, and reduces severity if one does get shingles.

Stress Control

Many studies have shown that stress can weaken the immune system, and that those under significant stress are more likely to suffer from infections than those who are not. For this reason, it is believed that stress can precipitate outbreaks of shingles, and thus RHS could result.