Shingles vaccine is advised at age 50

Dear Dr. Roach: My son had a very bad case of chickenpox when he was only 6 months old. He is now 40 years old, and earlier this year had an attack of shingles that affected the area behind his ear. He wanted to get the shingles vaccine to hopefully avoid a repeat of this and was told he was too young and would have to wait until he is 50 to get it. Is he to remain susceptible to this for another 10 years?

L.C.

Answer: The shingles vaccine has only been tested in adults over age 50, and thus is not indicated for younger ages by the Food and Drug Administration. Shingles is more common and has a higher risk of complications in older people. People in their 40s are at low risk for complications. People who have already had shingles are still recommended for the vaccine once they are 50, but are at lower risk from shingles than those who haven’t had shingles.

Giving the vaccine to a younger person would likely be effective. This is a new vaccine, and it is not known whether it confers long-lasting immunity. It would also not be covered by insurance, and is $155 for each of two doses on the

Goodrx app. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend it, but it’s not out of the question.

Dear Dr. Roach: I am an 88-year-old woman. I have had excessive belching for nine months. I have tried many medications and home remedies, but nothing has helped.

C.M.

Answer: Belching is the expulsion of air from the esophagus or stomach. The average person belches 25-30 times per day. This normal body function is considered a problem only when it is excessive and causes distress.

Stomach gas is most commonly caused by swallowed air, so the treatment is to teach people how to swallow less air. Belching can also be associated with reflux disease. Avoiding foods that make reflux worse (caffeine, chocolate, fatty foods, mints) may improve the symptom.

Just reassuring people that belching is a benign condition often helps with the anxiety that can accompany the belching.