Battling shingles: Fine-tune your care
Which of the 3 antiviral agents works best for accelerating rash healing and reducing pain? And what about corticosteroids—are they a good idea, or not? Read on.
Zostavax is not covered by Medicare Part B, in contrast to other adult vaccines, such as influenza and pneumococcal.29 However, the HZ vaccine is covered by many private insurers, as well as by Medicare Part D. Advise patients to check with their insurance carrier for specific details regarding their coverage, as some plans require the patient to purchase the vaccine from a pharmacy prior to administration in a physician’s office.
CORRESPONDENCE Sarah L. Cartwright, MD, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157; scartwri@wfubmc.edu
