Comments on: What are the symptoms of Shingles? I have been working with a woman who has now got them, am i likely to get..

By: ivy

ivy — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 11:02:59 +0000

if you have had chicken pox, most likely you wont get shingles.
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By: ronaldo

ronaldo — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 10:24:59 +0000

no you can not give somebody Shingles but you can give a kid Chicken Pox
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By: starlite3597

starlite3597 — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 09:53:59 +0000

Shingles Symptoms
Depending on the nerves involved, shingles can affect many parts of the body.

The first symptom of shingles is often extreme sensitivity or pain in a broad band on one side of the body. The sensation can be itching, tingling, burning, constant aching, or deep, shooting, or "lightning bolt" pain.
Typically, 1-3 days after the pain starts, a rash with raised, red bumps and blisters erupts on the skin in the same distribution as the pain. They become pus-filled, then form scabs by 10-12 days.
The rash disappears as the scabs fall off in the next 2-3 weeks, and scarring may result.
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By: TERRY C

TERRY C — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 09:37:59 +0000

you wont catch them if you have had chicken pox before, so don't concern yourself about it too much. you should have more concern for your friend as it is a painfull and horrible condition
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By: SweetRed

SweetRed — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 09:20:59 +0000

Yes, shingles and chicken pox are related. They are both caused by the Varicella Zoster Virus.

The areas that you have described on your body do not sound like shingles. Shingles is normally only on one side of the body, and follows a nerve path. Being so close to the nerves can make shingles very painful. While it does mainly affect adults, you do not have to be an older adult to get shingles. Anybody who has had chicken pox can get shingles.

Chicken pox is highly contagious (from the fluid within lesions and also respiratory secretions) and can be passed from one person to another who does not have immunity to the disease. (Immunity occurs in one of 2 ways – having the disease or having the vaccination.)

Shingles CAN NOT be passed from one person to another. However – a person who does not have immunity to varicella can get CHICKEN POX from a person who has an outbreak of shingles.

This is a very confusing disease, but I hope that this helps.
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Very interesting information at this site: (pages 6-8 specifically)

http://www.odh.ohio.gov/pdf/IDCM/vzv.pdf

By: Dr Frank

Dr Frank — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 09:01:59 +0000

Shingles produces a strip of vesicles or blisters, in a band on one side of the body only, affecting one dermatome only. ( area of skin supplied by a single nerve route,)

You can’t catch shingles from shingles, but you can, if you are non-immune, i.e. have not had chickenpox the past, catch chickenpox from shingles.

The 2 spots you describe do not sound in the least like chickenpox lesions, which are small blisters filled with colourless fluid. In addition in adults chickenpox tends to be a severe, toxic condition with the spots preceded by several days with high fever and severe headache.
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GP for more years than I care to remember

By: bopadams

bopadams — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 08:40:59 +0000

I am presently suffering from shingles and have done some research on it. Shingles is not contagious, however my understanding is that it could spread chicken pox to someone who has never had chicken pox. My symptoms began as itching and burning of the skin (in my case it is on my face). I also was feeling generally lousy-tired, etc. The burning and itching became more like shooting pain. The skin on my face began to swell somewhat then I developed whelps. These whelps are now becoming blisters (no black heads on them) Shingles affects the nerves and tend to follow a specific bundle of nerves so it will generally be in a specific area-the back, torso, face, legs. It also affects just one side of your body (in my case the right side of my face). I am finding the pain to be pretty intense. Enough to wake me up at night and having the need to take a strong pain rx. I hope this is helpful.
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By: AbbeySam

AbbeySam — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 08:19:59 +0000

It is related to the chicken pox virus, and tends to be in adults, but not always. I had chicken pox when I was a baby and then I got shingles when I was 11, so it isn´t restricted to adults only. It is contagious but generally only if you touch it. It looks like blisters rather than blackheads and you tend to get it in a rash rather than spots on their own. It is very itchy and very uncomfortable and not pleasant at all. Keep an eye on your spots, and see a doctor if you remain worried.
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By: friSbee

friSbee — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 08:06:59 +0000

I had shingles around my waist, the symptoms were a reddish patch , not at all like blackheads and the feeling was similar to a nettle sting
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By: Nicola t

Nicola t — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 07:44:59 +0000

I had shingles about ten years ok. They start as a tiny spot with, what looks like a blister on the top. I understand you can not get shingles if you had chicken pox as a child.
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