can anybody tell me about shingles?

Anthony275 wrote: i need some info on this, anybody want to help me?

luvmykids replied: My grandma has shingles but I don't know much , other than it can be painful

Anthony275 replied: so does mine, thats why im asking

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: I'm not 100% on this, but I believe that shingles is caused by the chicken pox virus. If I remember right, it can lay dormant in nerves for years and years and then flare up as shingles. I'd google it.

Farelle replied: Older people who never had chicken pox as a child are most likely to get shingles. It's like the adult chicken pox except that they can be very painful. They will go away and you should be able to take medication to help with the discomfort

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: Found this at www.shinglesinfo.com

Kirstenmumof3 replied: My son had them twice. He was immune compromised at the time. They are the same virus as the Chicken Pox virus, which is basically a Herpies Virus. They are very painful and usually follow a nerve pattern. For my son they followed the right side of his waist all the way to the middle of his back. The second time they followed the left side of his waist to the middle and also followed the nerve under his eye. For him they had to start him on an anti-viral medication. I hope they heal quickly!

Anthony275 replied: is it just done at random? my grandma stays inside 24/7 because she cant drive unless somebody takes her out, and she just got it. my grandpa had it a few years ago but he would go out and stuff. he died so that's not a possibility

luvmykids replied: From what I know, it is kind of random...it strikes those who HAVE had chicken pox, the virus can remain inactive in your body for years and years. The theory is that older people are more commonly affected due to the simple fact that aging in and of itself causes a weakened immune system and since the virus is already in the body, that allows it to become active again.

I didn't do a whole lot of looking, but basically found the same info that Kelly posted.

Brias3 replied: It is the same virus as the chicken pox and it can be contagious, only if you are exposed, you would develop chicken pox, not shingles.

They can be very painful lesions and I've had them in the past, triggered by bad migraines. I've always been described a topical cream for them. Usually, it has cleared up within a few days but I know of cases that can be worse. My doc has said that shingles in my case had been triggered by extreme stress (the migraine). My grandfather has also developed them from migraines in the past.

Usually, they are limited to one part of your body (I've had them on my neck and chest area- ouchies), but they can spread so its very important that you are cautious about treating them, etc.

I've done research on them before, I'll try and dig up some articles I have around.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: I had shingles when I was 8. It's some bad stuff. Unlike the chicken pox, you can get it more than once. I'm pretty sure you are contagious mostly before you break out.

tammyhopkins replied: I had it when i was 25 and the doctor said that it is very unusual for people that are not elderly to get it but it can happen. He said if you are prone to it stress will bring it on. Mine followed the nerve from the middle of my spine and followed my bra line to the front. Medicaiton was 250.00 for 1 weeks worth and you can be very sick with shingles i was not but some people get very sick

Maddie&EthansMom replied: Tammy, I remember the ped being so shocked that I had it as well. He had never had a patient that young with shingles. I don't remember being in a lot of pain...I was more sick, like you said. From what I remember it was almost like the flu. I think it can be more painful for older adults. One of my brothers got on his chest a couple of years ago and he was in quite a bit of pain. Mine was in the groin area, along the pantyline.

Farelle replied: Ooops! Guess I got that one wrong..........I always thought it affected those who didn't have chickenpox? I guess I must have gotten that one wrong when I was in nursing school..........either that or having TWO boys has just left my brain with the intelligence of a.....?? (what's REALLY forgetful and dumb?) LOL