Jasins Pharmacy
Travelling offers new experiences, relaxation, and adventure, but it can also expose the body to unfamiliar environments and health risks. One condition many adults overlook when preparing for a trip is shingles. While it is often associated with ageing or stress, travel can increase the chances of shingles developing, especially if your immune system is under pressure. At Jasins Pharmacy in Isleworth, we help travellers understand these risks and provide protection through the shingles vaccine UK programme.
Understanding What Causes Shingles
Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After recovering from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in your nerve cells and can reactivate later in life. This reactivation can occur when your immune system becomes weakened, which may happen due to stress, illness, or exhaustion.
Travelling, particularly long-distance or international trips, can sometimes create the ideal conditions for this reactivation. Factors such as disrupted sleep, jet lag, exposure to different climates, or even the physical and emotional stress of travel can temporarily affect your immune system. When that happens, the dormant virus can resurface and cause shingles, leading to painful rashes, nerve pain, and fatigue that can last for weeks.
Why Travel Can Increase The Risk
Even the most enjoyable trips can place added strain on the body. When you travel, your daily routine changes dramatically, which can impact your immune function. Sleep deprivation, altered meal times, and exposure to new environments can all contribute to lower resistance against infections.
For older travellers, particularly those over 50, the risk becomes more significant. The immune system naturally weakens with age, and shingles becomes more common in this group. If you are travelling to places with extreme temperatures, high altitudes, or long flight durations, the added physical stress can increase your vulnerability.
Another factor is access to healthcare. While the UK has robust medical services, many destinations abroad do not. If shingles develops while you are travelling, finding appropriate treatment may be difficult, particularly in rural or remote areas. This is why prevention is such an important part of travel health preparation.
The Role Of The Shingles Vaccine
The shingles vaccine UK programme offers adults protection from the virus reactivating. The vaccine is particularly recommended for people over 50, as well as those with weakened immune systems or underlying health conditions. It works by boosting your body’s immunity against the varicella-zoster virus, reducing both the risk of shingles and the severity of symptoms if it does occur.
Getting vaccinated before travelling is a proactive step that ensures peace of mind throughout your trip. You can focus on enjoying your holiday or business journey without worrying about potential health setbacks. At Jasins Pharmacy, we regularly see travellers who are unaware that their upcoming trip could increase their risk, particularly those travelling for extended periods or visiting regions with limited medical facilities.
How To Prepare For Travel Health
Before you travel, it is important to review your overall vaccination history. Alongside the shingles vaccine, you might need other travel-related vaccinations, depending on your destination. These could include hepatitis A, typhoid, or tetanus boosters. A comprehensive travel health assessment helps you stay protected against a range of preventable illnesses.
At our private travel clinic in Hounslow, we offer tailored consultations that assess your personal health risks, itinerary, and medical history. Our experienced pharmacists can advise whether the shingles vaccine is appropriate for you, especially if you are over 50 or have previously experienced shingles. We provide guidance on timing, as it is best to receive the vaccine several weeks before travel to allow your immune system to respond fully.
Managing Your Health While Travelling
Even with vaccination, it is important to maintain good health habits during your trip. Get adequate rest, stay hydrated, and manage stress as much as possible. Try to maintain consistent sleep patterns, eat well-balanced meals, and protect yourself from extreme temperatures.
If you start to feel unwell while abroad, monitor your symptoms carefully. Early signs of shingles include tingling, itching, or pain in a specific area of the skin, followed by the appearance of a rash. If this occurs, seek medical advice promptly. Antiviral medication can help if taken within the first few days of symptoms.
Why Choose Jasins Pharmacy?
At Jasins Pharmacy in Isleworth, we are committed to keeping travellers safe and well-informed. Our travel health specialists provide expert advice on how to reduce your risk of illness abroad, including guidance on the shingles vaccine UK service. We understand that every traveller’s needs are different, which is why our consultations are completely personalised.
Our private travel clinic in Hounslow offers flexible appointment times and professional care in a calm, welcoming setting. Whether you are planning a short holiday or a long journey, we can help you prepare with confidence.
Reduce Your Risk
So, are you more at risk of shingles while you travel? The answer is yes, particularly if you are older, under stress, or have a weakened immune system. Travel can create the perfect storm for the virus to reactivate, but with the right protection, this risk can be minimised.
The shingles vaccine offers a simple, effective way to protect your health before you set off. At Jasins Pharmacy in Isleworth, we make it easy to get vaccinated and travel safely. Contact our private travel clinic in Hounslow to discuss your options, or book an appointment to ensure that you are protected wherever your journey takes you.
This blog was written on behalf of Jasins Pharmacy by Pharmacy Mentor.
