Shingles is a non life threatening but nevertheless painful condition of a nerve causing blistering in a segment of your body. It can leave the patient in pain for several years after the condition has cleared usually within 2 weeks.

Early treatment if possible within 1 or 2 days of its onset can minimise the above mentioned consequences. If you suspect that you may have shingles contact your GP the same or next day.

It is caused by the chickenpox virus which is often left behind when you have chickenpox as a child. It lies dormant and you do not know it is there until it somehow decides without notice to strike.

Symtoms of shingles are an unexplained pain in a segment of your body on one side corresponding to a nerve. It can be anywhere on your body and is especially harmful if it affect an eye.

If you are over 70 years of age we are advised by the NHS to consider a preventive vaccine which is a single shot for life which will help to minimise the likelyhood of your getting shingles, or if you do the condition less likely to be less severe

For more iformation click on the link. Shingles Vaccination Program

For photographs and more details of the condition Medical News Today

The pneumococcal vaccine protects against serious and potentially fatal pneumococcal infections.

This vaccine is offered to people at special risk and all those over 65 years old

More information Pneumococcal Vaccine

This is given to at risk babies, but any profession that is high risk of contact with other people's body fluids such as nurses, police, prison officers and more.

It is also recommended for some foreign travel locations. Contact the surgery for advise if necessary.

More information Hepatitis B