I heard it is not possible to get shingles if you have never had the chicken pox...is this true?
815839
This is the truth.  If you had chicken pox....after the rash heals, the varicella virus lays dormant in your body.  It will be there the rest of your life.  IF you get shingles, it is from the dormant virus--you didn't "catch" it from anyone.  And you are ONLY contagious to a person who has NEVER had chicken pox, which means you could give them chicken pox.....NOT shingles.  So, yes...it's true... You cannot get SHINGLES if you never had chicken pox.....but you can still get chicken pox at anytime in your life if you come in contact with it or shingles. \n\nOK?
5552
Varicella Zoster Virus\nA herpesvirus that causes chickenpox and shingles.
685331
anyone can get shingles my mate had it and hes like 20 its not about age  anyone can get it weather there 2 or 92
796209
The answer is definitely yes, you can get them more than once, but those occasions are the exception.\n\nShingles is a viral infection of the nerve roots and is triggered by significant fatigue, stress, injuries and other reasons, and is actually just a reactivation of the chickenpox virus that lies dormant in people once they have recovered from chickenpox during their youth. \n\nFor adults that have not had chickenpox or had a very mild case (like i did), coming in contact with the chickenpox virus will most likely not trigger chickenpox, but rather shingles (like i got).\n\nWhether you had chickenpox as a child or chickenpox of shingles as an adult, the virus will always be in your system, but for the majority of people will just lie dormant after your recovery.
596615
I wouldn't waste anytime getting to the doctor for a diagnosis and a referral to a skin specialist. I had a skin condition that was misdiagnosed as a form of Shingles for 2yrs. As it turned out we have now found out its a form of Lupus that effects the skin called Discoid Lupus. They don't know what causes this but it is worsened and sometimes kick started in the 40 plus age group by direct sunlight and Heat. There are many things it could be but best to rule out all the nasties as soon as possible. Good Luck.
110044
Yes, and there is a high percentage of people in the US who have some form of herpes.  In a sense 90% of the population has some form of herpes if you want to take into consideration that cold sores, shingles, and chicken pox are all forms of the herpes virus.
601246
Try the link below. It has some answers for you.\nhttp://www.medinfo.co.uk/conditions/shingles.html
1097189
From the patchwork pattern of scars it leaves behind and during an outbreak.  They look like roofing shingles laid end-to-end.  Shingles are related to Chicken Pox, which is also a form of the herpes virus... don't freak out, not THAT herpes.\nIt's the same as a cold sore.\nStress is primarily the main cause for outbreaks.  It is nerve pathways beneath the skin that become irritated and inflamed that the path follows.\nGet some Balsam of Myrrh and dab it onto the areas just before and during an outbreak... you'll feel the ache  a day or two "just before".  That lessens the duration of the outbreak and helps ease the discomfort.
376404
What Is Chickenpox?\n\nChickenpox is a rash illness caused by a virus. Once a person is exposed to the virus, it takes between 2 and 3 weeks before the symptoms appear. Chickenpox usually occurs in childhood. Adults who contract chickenpox are usually more ill, especially with pneumonia. Chickenpox is very common and highly contagious. Approximately 3 million cases occur each year in the United States. More than 90% of chickenpox cases occur in children less than 12 years of age.\n\nSymptoms of Chickenpox?\n\nThe symptoms of chickenpox vary from individual to individual. Some people may experience all of these symptoms while others experience one or two. The symptoms are: Mild fever, backache, headache, sore throat, a rash (red spots) and blisters filled with fluid. The fever varies between 101º F to 105º F and returns to normal when the blisters have disappeared.\n\nHow is Chickenpox Transmitted?\n\nChickenpox is transmitted through the air. When a patient with chickenpox coughs or sneezes, they expel tiny droplets that carry the chickenpox virus (varicella-zoster virus, VZV). If a person who has never had chickenpox inhales these particles, the virus enters the lungs and is carried through the blood to the skin where it causes the typical rash of chickenpox. The infected droplets cause an initial infection in the respiratory epithelium. The incubation period (the time between exposure to the virus and appearance of symptoms) is between 10 and 20 days.\n\nBefore the typical rash appears, patients often develop a fever, headache, swollen glands and other flu like symptoms.\n\nSkin vesicles contain the virus but are not the primary sources. Scabs are not infectious. Patients are contagious from 2 days before onset of the rash until all lesions have crusted.\n\nCan Chickenpox be prevented?\n\nYes. The easiest way to prevent catching chickenpox is to get vaccinated. However, vaccination is only successful in 70% to 90% of all vaccinations. Individuals who have been vaccinated but still acquire chickenpox, usually have a milder disease that heals more quickly than non vaccinated individuals.\n\nChickenpox and Pregnancy\n\nChickenpox can cause serious problems during pregnancy, especially when infection occurs early in the pregnancy or at the time of delivery. If it occurs early in pregnancy, several types of fetal abnormalities, including limb abnormalities, scarring of internal organs and neurological damage can occur. Pregnant women who suspect exposure to chicken pox should immediately contact their healthcare provider.
261787
No, I don't believe so.  You can only have shingles after you've had the chicken pox virus.  I'd have it checked out immediately though.  There's so many things it could be!
573259
are they anywhere else?  If you have them every where it sould be shingles or chicken pox, if you have had a fever.  If they are only on your stomach, no fever, or sickness involved, it is probably an allergy or heat rash.  Don't scratch.
536641
There have been many cases where Chicken pox have infected a human more than once in their life.  But, it's very dangerous for an adult to have it, so you might want to get her to see a physician sooner than later.  Be safe!
1087791
Rashes are not a symptom of genital herpes.\n\nHerpes zoster (shingles) do look like rashes and they can appear anywhere on the body, usually the legs, arms, and the side of the body. This is not sexually transmitted, so if he is worried about getting in trouble from his parents he shouldn't be. Shingles is usually transmitted by someone who has chicken pox. So if he was exposed to someone who has chickenpox he could have got it from them.\n\nGenital herpes are blister like sores. They can open and puss a clearish fluid. There can be a few or 10 or more sores in the genital area. They are also VERY painful. Is he in a lot of pain? I was in so much pain that my doctor prescribed me the pain killer Vicodin. \n\nI hope this answered your question.
539311
He has shingles, which is herpes simplex and it is not caught from one person to another.  However, you do need to stay away from anyone who has not had chicken pox or the shot.  Shingles is caused from being stressed out and very upset to the point that a nerve comes to the surface and literally burns out which causes the red rash.  It is very painful and it circles the area where the nerve goes and then ends.  He can get it again if he is subject to being nervous or upset.  I have had shingles so many times I now have permanent symptoms in my face, which is numbness and tingling. The sexual herpes is a different type altogether and is caught from one to another and cannot be cured.  There are medications for shingles, but they do not do too much for the problem.  You just have to wait it out.  The symptoms usually last up to four weeks.
479110
Usually you can.  They would prefer not to perform a very invasive surgery like heart surgery while you had a severe outbreak of shingles, but they would do the surgery if it was an emergency.
332171
The only way to avoid getting the chicken pox is to have had them or to get the vaccine. There is no immunity to it that you can naturally build up. \n\nIt is way worse to get the chicken pox as an adult. It can even be fatal. In adults a different strain of the chicken pox is also known as shingles, which is also extremely itchy / painful and just as dangerous. \n\nIf you want to get the Varicella vaccine, you can go to your local health clinic or doctors office and request it. It will be a series of 2 shots since you are over 12 yrs old. I beleive they are spaced 3 or 6 months apart. \n\nI hope this helps. Good luck and God Bless!!!
351936
You don't. Caused by Herpes virus (same virus as chicken pox...you probably had chicken pox, didn't you?) Do all you can to boost your immune system, go to doctor for Cyclovir treatment that may be indicated. DO NOT use steroids of any kind, such as cortisone...will make the infection much worse. Basically, the only way you can get over this really painful disease is to get rid of stress in your life, do the vitamin thing to boost immune system. and see another doctor who specializes in HIV diseases. Shingles is a real problem for those with HIV, as are other nasty Herpes viruses. Therefore, I would see a doc who has great experience with this disease. Cyclovirs are used to combat Herpes I and II, Epstien Barr, and Cytomegalo virus. Check it out and I sincerely hope you find some relief quickly. But ... change docs. This one is doing you no good.