Yes, it is recommended that someone with rheumatoid arthritis get the shingles vaccine. Having rheumatoid arthritis increases the risk for complications if you do get shingles. The virus that causes shingles, varicella-zoster, is the same virus that causes chickenpox.
After you have had chickenpox, the virus remains in the body, even if you do not have any symptoms. It can become active again, causing shingles. Having rheumatoid arthritis increases the risk for complications if someone does get shingles, including changes in vision, balance problems, and long-term pain.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved two different shingles vaccines: Zostavax and Shingrix. Both are effective in people with rheumatoid arthritis and are recommended by both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Rheumatology.
The vaccines are given as a one-time injection and are available at most pharmacies and doctor’s offices. For maximum effectiveness, they should be given at least 2-6 months before a person with rheumatoid arthritis reaches age 60.
Talk to your doctor to determine if these vaccines are the right choice for you.
Can you get a shingles vaccine if you have rheumatoid arthritis?
Yes, it is possible to get a shingles vaccine if you have rheumatoid arthritis. The shingles vaccine, or Zostavax, is safe for people with autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, although it is important to inform your doctor if you have any disease or limitation that may affect your immunization response.
Depending on your specific condition and the severity of symptoms, your doctor will likely be able to advise whether the shingles vaccine is appropriate for you. Additionally, it is important to talk to your doctor about your risk for shingles so that you understand all your options.
If you do decide to get the vaccine, be sure to discuss any possible side effects and any potential drug interactions with your doctor.
Who Cannot get shingles vaccine?
The shingles vaccine is not recommended for everyone. You should not get the shingles vaccine if:
-You are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
-You have a weakened immune system due to HIV/AIDS or certain cancer treatments
-You’ve had a severe allergic reaction to gelatin, the antibiotic neomycin, or any other component of the shingles vaccine
-You currently have an infection or are feeling sick
-You have certain types of leukemia or lymphoma
-You have had a bone marrow transplant in the past 2 months
-You have had a solid organ transplant
Children under the age of 18 should also not get the shingles vaccine. Additionally, people who are over the age of 80 should talk to their doctor before receiving the shingles vaccine, as it may not be as effective for them.
Can I have the shingles vaccine if I take methotrexate?
Yes, you can have the shingles vaccine if you take methotrexate. However, you should not take the vaccine within 72 hours before or after receiving methotrexate treatment. You should also inform your doctor if you experience any symptoms related to the vaccine, such as redness, swelling, pain, or fever.
Additionally, people receiving methotrexate treatment may be more likely than the general population to experience a rare but serious complication from the shingles vaccine known as post-vaccination encephalitis or encephalopathy.
Therefore, it is important to discuss with your doctor whether or not you should receive the shingles vaccine while taking methotrexate.
What medications interact with shingles vaccine?
Most medications should not interact with the shingles vaccine, however, to be safe, it is important to tell your healthcare provider about any medications that you are taking prior to being vaccinated.
Some medications that can interact with the shingles vaccine include live vaccines (e. g. , MMR, Varicella, rotavirus, and yellow fever vaccines), quinine, chloroquine, corticosteroids, immune globulin, and hematopoietic stem cell transplant medications.
It’s also important to tell your healthcare provider about any vitamins, herbal supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you may be taking. People who have recently gotten a blood transfusion or other blood product may need to wait a certain amount of time before receiving the shingles vaccine, so it is important to discuss this with your healthcare provider as well.
If a person experiences any severe allergic reaction, or if a rash or other severe symptoms appear after receiving the shingles vaccine, they should contact their healthcare provider right away.
Who should not Shingrix?
The Shingrix vaccine is a vaccine approved in 2017 by the U. S. Center for Disease Control to protect adults aged 50 and older from shingles. However, there are certain individuals for whom the Shingrix vaccine is not recommended, including those who are immunocompromised, pregnant, or have an allergy to any of the ingredients in the vaccine.
People with a history of severe allergic reaction to the previous shingles vaccine (Zostavax) should not get Shingrix, nor should people who have an active shingles infection or had a recent blood transfusion or organ transplant.
In addition, people with severe chronic illnesses, including heart disease or kidney disease, should not get Shingrix and should consult their doctor before getting the vaccine. Finally, Shingrix should not be given to anyone younger than 50 years of age, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not yet approved it for use in children and adolescents.
Why live vaccines is contraindicated for patient with rheumatoid arthritis?
Live vaccines are contraindicated for patients with rheumatoid arthritis because the live viruses in the vaccine can cause immune reactions and triggered flares of the disease. In addition, those with rheumatoid arthritis taking certain medications may be immunocompromised, which may hinder the body from responding to the vaccine and provide little to no immunity.
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis taking certain medications for the arthritis may experience a worsening of the arthritis in the time period following the vaccine, leading to inflammation and discomfort.
Lastly, it is not known how the body will respond to the live viruses within the vaccine, so it is important to discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor prior to proceeding with a live vaccine.
Is Covid vaccine recommended for rheumatoid arthritis?
Yes, it is recommended that people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receive a Covid-19 vaccine. According to the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS), the Covid-19 vaccine has not been found to interact with RA treatments, and the risk of severe Covid-19 illness is much greater than any theoretical risk of vaccine side-effects.
However, people with RA should make sure that they talk to their doctor first before receiving any kind of vaccine, to get the latest advice on the best way to proceed. The NRAS also recommends that those taking biologic or other similar medications ask their doctor before getting a vaccine, as this could be a factor in deciding which type of Covid-19 vaccine is the most suitable for them.
People with RA should also take into account the additional support services that may be available when receiving their vaccine (such as dedicated appointments for individuals with underlying medical conditions).
Can COVID make rheumatoid arthritis worse?
Yes, COVID can make rheumatoid arthritis worse. This is because people who have rheumatoid arthritis are immunocompromised, which means that their immune systems do not function as well as someone without the condition.
This can make them more vulnerable to COVID infection, and being infected makes the symptoms of the arthritis worse. Symptoms such as joint pain, fatigue, low energy levels, and depression can be exacerbated due to COVID-19.
Having a weakened immune system may also make it harder for people with rheumatoid arthritis to recover from the virus. It is highly recommended that people with rheumatoid arthritis take extra precautions to protect themselves from the virus and limit their chances of becoming infected.
These can include avoiding close contact with people who may have the virus, washing hands frequently, wearing a face mask, and avoiding large gatherings. Additionally, people with rheumatoid arthritis should talk to their doctor about any medications they may need to help them manage their condition.
Can shingles vaccine cause Arthritis flare up?
No, shingles vaccine does not cause arthritis flare up. While there is some evidence that vaccination may be linked with triggering autoimmune conditions, there is no evidence that shingles vaccination can cause arthritis flare up.
In certain cases, individuals may experience a temporary increase in joint pain or stiffness due to the vaccine, but this is generally not a result of any autoimmune reaction and will typically subside within 48 hours.
It is important to note that, for people with compromised immune systems, shingles should be avoided as even the vaccine can potentially lead to severe health complications.
Can Shingrix trigger autoimmune disease?
No, Shingrix does not trigger autoimmune disease. Shingrix is a vaccine designed to prevent shingles and reactivated shingles. It works by stimulating the body’s immune system to create antibodies to fight the virus that causes shingles.
These antibodies will protect you from shingles but cannot cause an autoimmune disease.
Autoimmune diseases occur when the body creates antibodies that attack its own healthy tissue, which causes inflammation and a range of symptoms, instead of attacking a virus or bacteria. Shingrix does not introduce any new antibodies into the body and does not lead to any changes in the body that could cause autoimmune disease.
In fact, Shingrix is recommended for those at risk of developing an autoimmune disease because it can help reduce the risk of shingles, which is known to worsen some autoimmune diseases. Additionally, since Shingrix is a live vaccine, it is not recommended for those who already have an autoimmune disease since some people with weakened immune systems may be more likely to experience an adverse reaction to the vaccine.
Why does Shingrix cause joint pain?
Shingrix, the vaccine to prevent shingles, can sometimes cause joint pain as a side effect. This is due to the active ingredient in Shingrix, a glycoprotein called a subunit vaccine. This protein activates the body’s immune system to produce immunity against the varicella-zoster virus, the cause of shingles.
The action of this protein can sometimes target and activate other body parts, such as the joints. As a result, the muscles and joints become inflamed and painful. Due to this potential side effect of joint pain, it is important to speak to your doctor if you experience any pain or discomfort after the vaccination.
Additionally, the joint pain from the vaccine is usually mild and temporary, and it should not last more than a few days.
Is there a link between shingles and rheumatoid arthritis?
Yes, there is a link between shingles and rheumatoid arthritis. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to experience an episode of shingles than those without the condition. This is due to the fact that individuals with rheumatoid arthritis have a weakened immune system.
This is caused by their medications, their disease and other conditions associated with their arthritis. The weakened immune system can then be vulnerable to viral infections, like shingles. Additionally, high levels of inflammation and other stressors, both of which can be present in rheumatoid arthritis, are known to increase the risk of developing shingles.
If a person with rheumatoid arthritis suspects they may have shingles, they should contact their doctor right away. Early diagnoses and treatments can help reduce the severity of the symptoms and recovery time.
There are a variety of treatments available for shingles, some of which require at-home treatment and others that require medical attention. A person’s doctor will be able to determine the best treatment option and develop a plan based on the severity of their individual case.
Is Shingrix safe for immunosuppressed patients?
No, Shingrix is not safe for immunosuppressed patients. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that immunosuppressed individuals only receive the Shingles Vaccine Live (Zostavax).
Shingrix is a much stronger vaccine than Zostavax, as it contains higher levels of antigen and includes an adjuvant in its formulation to further stimulate the immune response. However, because individuals with an impaired immune system may respond differently to the vaccine, due to the higher doses of antigens, there is an increased risk of side effects for these patients.
Therefore, immunosuppressed individuals should not receive Shingrix and should instead be given the Zostavax vaccine as it is a safer and more appropriate choice.