Age is an important risk factor for developing herpes zoster (shingles).1 Approximately 99.5% of adults aged 40 years or older are at risk for shingles because they have had chickenpox: the varicella zoster virus (VZV).1 According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately one in three people will get shingles in their lifetime.1 An estimated 70% of annual cases occur in people aged 50 years or older.2 Nearly 1 million new cases of zoster are diagnosed in the United States each year. 1,3 If your patient has had chickenpox, he or she is at risk for getting shingles.1
Zoster can strike at any time – You may never know which of your patients aged 50 years or older will be affected.1 There is no way to predict when VZV will reactivate, who will develop zoster, or how severe any case may be.1
Zoster can be much more than just a rash.4 About one in five people will experience chronic neuropathic pain, known as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). PHN lasts at least three months after rash onset and can continue for months or even years.5 Other complications of zoster can include ophthalmicus, bacterial superinfection, hearing loss, scarring, and motor neuron palsies.1 As a provider, your patient engagement should include identifying those at risk for developing shingles and educating them.
Start a dialogue
By identifying patients in your practice who are 50 and older and who have had chickenpox, you can start the discussion about their risk for getting shingles.
Use a patient portal
One way to engage your appropriate patient population in their care while making communication easier is by utilizing a patient portal.
With NextGen Patient Portal, patients become advocates for their own health care. Our patient portal enables meaningful provider/patient dialogue. It also empowers patients to engage with online tools and resources to educate themselves about their health and wellness.
Patient engagement is about building relationships with your patients and providing them with the medical information and tools they want, when and where they want it. Remember, the patient experience is key whether they’re in your office or not.
Learn more about NextGen Patient Portal and view a demo at the NextGen Healthcare web site.
This Article is provided as an educational resource by Merck & Co., Inc.
REFERENCES: 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevention of herpes zoster: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep. 2008;57(RR-5):1–30. 2. Pappagallo M, Haldey EJ. Pharmacological management of postherpetic neuralgia. CNS Drugs. 2003;17(11):771–780. 3. Insinga RP, Itzler RF, Pellissier JM, et al. The incidence of herpes zoster in a United States administrative database. J Gen Intern Med. 2005;20(8):748–753. 4. Schmader KE, Dworkin RH. Natural history and treatment of herpes zoster. J Pain. 2008;9(1)(suppl 1): S3–S9. 5. Johnson RW, Bouhassira D, Kassianos G, et al. The impact of herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia on quality-of-life. BMC Med. 2010;8(37). doi:10.1186/1741-7015-8–37.
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VACC-1175786-0005 02/17