By shots I mean the flu shot or shingles shot, not jello or pudding shots (they do not hurt your arm, so they have that going for them).  Seriously there are so many different things going around now, it's best to arm up...sorry for that one.

I have never had a case of the shingles, but talking to people who have had them I decided to get the shot. If you don't know about shingles, you're in luck because Dr. Monica is in.

Shingles is a reactivation of the chicken pox virus that is probably already in your body, and when it cuts loose it causes a very painful and ugly rash. Anyone who has ever had the chicken pox may develop shingles.

Having a case of the shingles has become more common. Research shows that more than 200 thousand people develop shingles every year.  The good news is that it is preventable with a shot.

My husband and I each had the shot last week. He was fine, no reaction at all except a sore arm for awhile, me on the other hand, not so good.  Apparently 1 in 100 people develop flu like symptoms from the shingles shot. I was one of the lucky ones. Boy the shot knocked me on my butt for 3 days with the worst flu symptoms I have ever had. However, everyone I spoke with said that no matter how bad I felt, it was nowhere near as bad as it would be having the shingles rash.

Bottom line, if you are over 50 you really should consider getting the shingles vaccine, and get the flu shot while you're at it. We have all been worrying about getting ill with COVID, so get the shots that can keep you healthy from a couple of illnesses at least.

If you are brave you might even get a sucker.

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