Shingles

Facts about the shingles virus

Shingles disease is caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same microscopic bug that causes chicken pox. Though shingles mostly affects people over the age of 50, children are also susceptible to the virus, especially those with compromised immune systems.

Children won't get shingles disease immediately if they are exposed to the virus; instead, they'll develop chicken pox first. Shingles disease occurs when the varicella zoster virus reactivates after lying dormant in the body for a period of time. If your children have never had chicken pox, it is unlikely they'll ever be affected by shingles disease.

Shingles Symptoms

Shingles symptoms include pain and a tingling sensation in the skin. After a few days, red and itchy water blisters will start to appear on one side of the face or body. The blisters can continue to develop for up to 5 days. The varicella virus that causes shingles is contagious as long as there are blisters present. Once the blisters crust over, the shingles virus becomes noninfectious, though it's still going to be necessary to treat the sensitive skin.

Shingles Treatment Options

Treatments for shingles include antiviral medications, which minimize the duration and severity of shingles outbreaks; pain and anti-itch medications may also be used. When children have shingles, they may have a difficult time controlling their impulses to scratch, so parents might find it necessary to cut their kids' fingernails extra-short to prevent them from scratching the blisters and causing infection.

Most instances of shingles don't result in any serious complications. However, in rare cases, bacterial infections, pneumonia, blindness, brain inflammation, hearing loss and even death can occur. Seek the attention of a pediatrician if your child shows symptoms.

Preventing Shingles in Children

The varicella zoster vaccine is the best way to prevent chicken pox in children; it, in turn, also protects against shingles disease outbreaks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC), the varicella vaccine is 80 to 90 percent effective. Although the vaccine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there is still some controversy surrounding its long-term safety and effectiveness. If your child suffers from an illness that affects his or her immune system, talk to a pediatrician before exposing the child to the varicella vaccine.

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I need to know if I get an injection for shingles, do I need to be away from small children and adults that may not have had chickenpox.
Posted on 7/11/2012 10:39:00 PM by Anonymous
my son received the chicken pox vaccine to protect himself from getting chicken pox when he was a couple years old (1995-96) before you had to have the vaccine. I thought it sounded like a good idea. Shortly after receiving the vaccine he got a severe case of shingles. He is now 17 (18 in December) and has permanent scars and large bumps on his shoulder. I do wish he never got the vaccine.
Posted on 9/23/2011 4:44:00 PM by Anonymous
If someone is vaccinated with the shingles vaccine, how long do they need to stay away from immune compromised children?
Posted on 8/14/2011 9:05:00 AM by Anonymous
Is there something over the counter that will help with the burning from shingles,tried aloe Vera and solercaine it is only a temporary relief for me,I really don't want to have to rely on pain med's never had an addiction and don't want to take the chance of developing one. .
Posted on 5/19/2011 7:03:00 PM by Anonymous
I woke up with pain in my mid upper back left side,three day's later i broke out in welt's in the area were the pain was I never got the blister's or the itching ,I had shooting pain and burning at the same time,went to the er and was told that i have shingles,went on antivirals, steroid's and pain med's.it has been three and a half week's and the welt's are almost gone but the pain and burning are still there,i also have shooting pain in my left breast but the shingle's did wrap around the bottom of it,im wodering if it's normal for the pain to and burning to still be there.
Posted on 5/19/2011 6:56:00 PM by Anonymous
YES! they are contagious to kids and adults
Posted on 10/26/2010 3:36:00 PM by Anonymous
Are you telling me if someone had chicken pox and they can get Shingles in later years. And we didn't get chicken pox when we are young, you are unlikelly to get shingles. My mother-in-law is 82 yrs. and this is 2nd.time she got shingles and she is in pain, but is taking some kind of mediation.
Posted on 3/6/2010 10:14:00 AM by Anonymous
is it shingles when the blisters come and go within hours? I've broken out across whole tummy, both buttocks, back of thighs, and inside of top of legs. After soaking in tub, they disappeard, but have been coming and goingnow in little spots.
Posted on 2/9/2010 10:57:00 AM by Anonymous
are you supposed to get lots of rest when you have shingles, or can you do everything you used to, no matter how much pain you're in?
Posted on 2/1/2010 3:22:00 PM by Anonymous
My 8 yr old son has had the varicella vaccine and now he has shingles, but no immunological problems that we are aware of.
Posted on 1/28/2010 12:02:00 AM by Anonymous
As many have ask, Where is the answers? to Is Shingles contagious? HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted on 1/22/2010 9:35:00 PM by Anonymous
I have shingles and I work up front at a pediatric office am I endangering other people
Posted on 1/20/2010 10:17:00 AM by Anonymous
I have the shingles, should I stay away from children that has not had the vaccine or chickenpox.
Posted on 11/13/2009 3:57:00 PM by Anonymous
What about shingles that just won't go away. I have been breaking out since April. I am on all the usual meds (famvir, Neuronton, plus pain meds). But just as they begin to clear up, I begin to have PMS and it just starts all over again
Posted on 10/30/2009 12:04:00 PM by Anonymous
I am in the middle of my second bout of shingles. The last time was 5 years ago over Thanksgiving. The first time I had the burning pain like someone was holding a blow torch on my right side from the ribcage to the top of the hip bone. I saw a chiropractor and the following Monday about 5 days later, the blisters showed up. This time I was in serious pain in my belly area which felt like someone was stabbing me in the gut. After 7 days I went to the doctor and he ordered blood tests and ultrasound. Everyone thought I was having a serious gall bladder attack. 4 more days passed and the doctor said he had found nothing on his tests. That day the blisters showed up in two spots on the belly and at the bottom of the rib cage on my back. Taking Acyclovir(Valtrex generic) for 6 days now and using a mix of essential oils on the blisters-Ravensara, Melissa and Geranium in a Jojoba base which calms the stinging down. Still have the deep gut pain. I went and had the Zostavac shot a year ago thinking it would stop outbreaks but obviously that was futile. This has been painful beyond belief and 2nd outbreaks supposedly only occur in 4% of those who get shingles. - Teacher in pain
Posted on 10/28/2009 8:53:00 PM by Anonymous
I have shingles and chiggers, I can't tell the difference??? Help which lotion where????
Posted on 10/28/2009 1:43:00 PM by Anonymous
are shingles contagious
Posted on 10/26/2009 10:58:00 PM by Anonymous
My son is 3 and had the chicken pox vaccine. He was diagnosed today with shingles. Is this common?
Posted on 10/21/2009 11:08:00 AM by Anonymous
are shingles contagious
Posted on 10/19/2009 6:45:00 PM by Anonymous
I have had shingles 5 times in the last 2 -1/2 yrs. Three of those times were "AFTER" I received the zoster vaccination. So much for that!! My shingles have always been in the same area (right buttocks) and very small area (fist size) - thankfully. I usually take Valtrex (or generic equivalent). Very expensive. Anxiously awaiting my sixed outbreak - NOT!!! JC
Posted on 10/13/2009 7:44:00 PM by Anonymous
where are the answers to these questions?
Posted on 10/8/2009 4:37:00 PM by Anonymous
Is there any itch oinments and what are they. The itch is driving me crazy. I have shingles on my back and on the side of my neck. I have been on meds for this since Fri. pm.
Posted on 10/5/2009 6:31:00 PM by Anonymous
where are the answers to these questions
Posted on 9/30/2009 9:54:00 PM by Anonymous
where are the answers ?
Posted on 9/29/2009 5:06:00 PM by Anonymous
is shinbles contagious
Posted on 9/24/2009 1:49:00 PM by Anonymous
Where are the answers?
Posted on 9/23/2009 10:03:00 PM by Anonymous
is there such a case of shingles without anuy rash? Can shingles be diagnosed from a bloodtest>
Posted on 9/23/2009 12:05:00 AM by Anonymous
have had a burning sensation in my lower back and on the right side of my face for a couple of weeks now. My right cheek, nose are red and dr said it was rosacea (don't think so) also my right eye has floaters and is blurry. Been to numerous drs with no luck as to why i feel so bad. My mother-in-law had shingles several months ago and I was around, could this possibly be shingles with no rash
Posted on 9/21/2009 4:36:00 PM by Anonymous
Once you have had shingles, can you get them again?
Posted on 9/18/2009 6:02:00 PM by Anonymous
i had a bad case of shingles alittle over a year ago which lasted for several months and with cosiderable pain. I still have remnants of discomfort. The shingles ocurered in my midsection, on my back and stomach extending for a 12 inch area or so. My concern is whether this will reocur soon---what should I be looking for & what precautions might I take?
Posted on 9/14/2009 2:47:00 PM by Anonymous
can the shingle virus be misdiagnosed as a herpes/sexual virus?
Posted on 9/2/2009 4:39:00 PM by Anonymous
MY HUSBAND HAS SHINGLE FOR 3 WEEKS NOW,THE PAIN IS NOT BAD NOW BUT HE FEELS VERY WEEK,IS THIS NORMAL CAN ANYONE HELP.
Posted on 9/1/2009 1:35:00 PM by Anonymous
I recovered from shingles lasting about 3-4 weeks a couple of months ago. Would it be to my advantage to get the shingles vaccine since I have already had the shingles. I have heard if you should get shingles again, the symtoms and pain may be decreased. Is this true?
Posted on 8/25/2009 12:49:00 PM by Anonymous
I thought I had a pulled groin muscle - bad was bothering me. Went to the chiropractor and he adjusted me. The next day I broke out on my upper left leg, stomach area and two spots on my lower back. Went to the dr. I am also sensing chlling sensations in my legs and on my lower lip at times. A little scarey. Taking meds for a week to prevent more pain after rash.
Posted on 8/24/2009 1:42:00 PM by Anonymous
can you get shingles from someone using your area at work
Posted on 8/18/2009 12:02:00 PM by Anonymous
i got shingles when i was 20. I didnt have pain before the bumps showed up, so i thought they were bug bites. But now after i have had them i get itchy all over my mid scetion and arms.
Posted on 8/8/2009 11:21:00 AM by Anonymous
I just started with the rash around my navel
Posted on 8/4/2009 9:25:00 PM by Anonymous
Thank you for the information. I have been in pain for over a week. Seen a chiropractor for pain in my lower neck to my finger tips. Didn't have any rash. Just numbness, tingling in my pinky and ring finger, itch like crazy. Thought I had a pinch nerve in my neck. Then the bumps appeared on my left arm that ran from the back of my arm along the side to my pinky. The rash was in the same pattern. Went to the Medical doctor and dx. Herpe Zoster now on Acyclovir 800mg 5x's a day. It is painful and uncomfortable but the rash hasn't blistered so I think I caught it in time. Feel like I got the flu and very irretated by the discomfort. Overall I think it is getting better. I'm afraid to go to work on monday because I don't want to tell people i got herpes. The thought of herpes makes me affraid. My husband has been supported. I spent endless time on the internet reading on this virus and on the medicaton. It took about 2weeks before the out break. Ginger '
Posted on 8/2/2009 8:29:00 PM by Anonymous
Good Grief! What a lot of pain and suffering these comments include. I'm getting over my first case of shingles, and still taking gabapentin for the deep tissue pain, although I'm weaning myself off it. My condition wasn't diagnosed until the rash appeared, although I had been in pain for several days before that. Three trips to Emergency before doctors could diagnose it. Valtrex kept the rash on my side from spreading, but my pain was in my gut, close to my navel. The rash was itchy around the side of my body, but the pain was around the front! I'm still confused by this...any comments?
Posted on 7/28/2009 3:23:00 PM by Anonymous
I don't have information whether or not I have had chicken pox as a child. I was adopted. Question? Would it be wise for me to get the Shingles vaccine? I am over 65. Rita
Posted on 7/26/2009 1:28:00 PM by Anonymous
I developed shingles for the first time about 4 days ago. The pain has been excruciating. I've been to the doctor twice because the pain meds (morphine and oxycodone) didn't help at all. Today the doctor put me on Gabapentin and it worked! I'm taking Acyclovir (anti-viral), Gabapentin for pain. I use a paste made of Baking soda and water on the rash and it's wonderful.
Posted on 7/21/2009 2:12:00 AM by Anonymous
My son is 14 yrs. old now but had a case of shingles when he was just over a year old. He was undiagnosed by our Pediatrician for several days before a dermatologist confirmed my suspisions of shingles. By the time he was treated with steriods he had blisters so deep that he had temporary nerve damage in his hand and arm. Pediatricians had not recommended the Chicken Pox Vaccine because they did not know if this will cause his shingles to flare up again. They also do not know if exposure to someone with chicken pox could cause a flare up. The doctors told us that a mild case of chicken pox (2 small marks) when he was a month old is what caused him to get shingles when he was just over a year. Any information on shingles cases of very young children and future prognosis of flare ups or complications?
Posted on 7/14/2009 6:09:00 PM by Anonymous
Very interesting information
Posted on 7/12/2009 3:20:00 PM by Anonymous
We have A 2 year old granddaughter My Husband was Dx today withshangles could our granddaughter and other members of the family get them
Posted on 6/29/2009 11:39:00 PM by Anonymous
Im 13 years old and Ive had Shingles three years in a row. All three break-outs happened in june. What is causing it ti appear so much?
Posted on 6/29/2009 2:41:00 PM by Anonymous
My 12 yr. old son has shingle, so we are told by a doctor. He also has crohn's disease for 5 yaers now. How serious is the shingles disease with a child with Crohns?
Posted on 6/29/2009 1:16:00 PM by Anonymous
I went to the Dr. yesterday for tingling pain in the left side of my head, by upper cheek bone down around my ear. She said it may be shingles, but I do not have a rash yet. It is very very painful and last night I was crying it hurt so bad, but today it is just kind of there and if I touch my head I can feel it and also have occasional sharp shooting pains. I am only 43....do these symptoms sound familiar?
Posted on 6/20/2009 10:36:00 PM by Anonymous
In other comments, on another site, some have had shingles on both sides. Also, mine first appeared within the scar from my small pox vaccination 62 years ago. Mine was quite advanced before I sought medical treatment because when I first tried a natural remedy it appeared to be working. Then when I had to substitute a lesser product, it flared again with a vengeance. After that, I would develop flareups almost identically on both sides of my body. By the time I sought help, I was in really bad shape. Cortizone gave me relief and reduced the inflammation but, of course, did not "cure" the shingles and I am still feeling mirror image places trying to develop but under the surface and not coming quite to blisters. Any comments would be appreciated.
Posted on 6/20/2009 7:28:00 AM by Anonymous
Can there be nerve damage from having Shingles years ago? I had Shingles on my left side of my face and almost into my left eye but it was 15 years ago. Now I am experiencing tingling in my feet, legs, hands, arms and my tongue and my vision is changing. The pain is increasingly getting worse and I cannot feel my feet for the first 1/2 hour that I wake up in the morning? Any answer? Thank You!
Posted on 6/12/2009 11:29:00 PM by Anonymous
My son has had shingles twice, he is eight. The doctor said this will probably keep recurring.Why??He is quite healthy ,he has had mild chickenpox,and although the symptoms were mild for his shingles,I worry how it will affect him as an adult.
Posted on 6/5/2009 9:44:00 PM by Anonymous
I had a huge muscle spasm because I overstretched while reaching for something on a high shelf. The pain was awful. A few days later I developed a rash which was then diagnosed as shingles. I was put on an antvirul and Lyrica. The rash is diminishing but the pain of the muscle spasm is still keeping me up all night long. I've been going to a physical therapist for a while and he's been working on my spasm which runs parallel to my spine. He is 100% sure this is a spasm and not part of shingles. Can the treatment of heat, stim and massage be harmful or contributing to the pain I'm in. I do feel better after the treatments but the pain comes back at night, all night ling.
Posted on 6/4/2009 8:26:00 AM by Anonymous
iv'e had shingles for about nine days i am taking antiobitics every day five times a day, still having pain, itching, burning ,stabing , sensations. When will it all stop?
Posted on 6/2/2009 2:26:00 AM by Anonymous
if an adult has shingles, how long are they consider contagious
Posted on 6/2/2009 2:17:00 AM by Anonymous
I am concerned about being aroud my new grandson. I have shingles on my scalp. I wash my hands all the time and I don't scratch the blisters which I have had 4 days. Anything else?
Posted on 5/29/2009 11:27:00 PM by Anonymous
If an adult has shingles, how long are they consider contagious
Posted on 5/23/2009 12:46:00 PM by Anonymous
Thank you very much. I had no idea that shingles were contagious, but after reading this information, it is obviously contagious in the same way as the original chicken pox - through the open blisters in the early stages. I had no idea that shingles started as blisters. I've only heard of it starting as a painful rash, which in my mind was like a poison ivy rash.
Posted on 5/23/2009 12:57:00 AM by Anonymous