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Shingles by any other name is still Herpes
No one likes to hear the word "herpes" mentioned during a medical visit, since it tends have all of those negative sexual connotations. I rarely just blurt it out to patients. We use those nicer words for herpes: shingles, chicken pox, cold sores, or fever blisters.
Chicken pox, a herpes viral infection, was once considered a rite of passage for most children. Now, the routine varicella vaccine will prevent most of these cases, and even protect you against shingles. No one seems pay attention to cold sores, another herpes-type infection. Shingles will make a person take notice.
Shingles by any other name is still a form of herpes. There are many different kinds of herpetic infections, but questions regarding plain 'ol Shingles is one of the most frequent postings that occur on the WebMD General Health Board. Why?
Because in the United States, nearly 100% of adults have detectable herpes antibodies by the time they are 30 years old. Humans are the only source of infection, so we caught it from someone. In other words, nearly all of us have already been exposed and have the latent virus present in our bodies. The virus is just hanging around, living quietly in a nerve bundle, and suppressed by our immune systems.
For the vast majority of people, this virus will remain dormant for our lifetime. As we age or our immunity status changes, up to 10-20% of the population may experience the pain of herpes zoster (shingles). More than 66% of the people who develop herpes zoster are over the age of fifty; about five percent of the cases occur in children under the age of 15. Over a half of a million people will get herpes zoster this year in the U.S. In people who are immune compromised by HIV or undergoing cancer treatment with chemotherapy or radiation, the risk of getting herpes zoster increases eight-fold and can cause fatal complications.
If you have had chicken pox in your lifetime, you are considered immune just to chicken pox. Getting exposed to this herpes virus again may trigger activation and lead to a nasty case of shingles. Think about that when you send your child with chicken pox over to Grandma's house. Chicken pox is VERY contagious. Herpes Zoster is only about a third as contagious.
Herpes zoster involves nerve pathways. In the first stage of the illness, people will experience strange nerve pain, such as burning, stabbing, prickly, numb, or tingling. Some people complain that the area itches intensely. People may also experience headaches, malaise, or flu-like symptoms. No matter what, the early symptoms of herpes zoster certainly get your attention for about 3-5 days (sometimes as long as two weeks) before the characteristic skin blisters develop.
The skin lesions of herpes follow a nerve pathway and appear as groups or clusters of tiny, clear blisters (vesicles), often with an angry red or bluish base. Because zoster follows a nerve pathway and nerves do not cross the midline of the body, zoster will occur on just one side of your chest...your face...or your back...your leg...or your butt. Less commonly, they can occur in your mouth, your ear (Ramsay Hunt Syndrome) or genital area. A serious, sight-threatening form can involve the eye and always requires an immediate consultation with an ophthalmologist.
The typical course of a herpes zoster infection lasts two to three weeks, assuming you have a good immune system, but there is always a risk of developing PHN - Post-Herpetic Neuralgia. PHN is nerve pain that persists long after the zoster has resolved and is more prevalent in the elderly or people with eye involvement. Herpes zoster, like a bad relative, can also show up again and again throughout your lifetime.
Antiviral drugs like acyclovir and others may reduce the severity of herpes zoster it taken early. Pain medications are usually necessary. Moist dressings of water or saline can be soothing and help the inevitable pain. Capsaicin cream (made from the hottest chili peppers!) is also used for managing the pain of PHN.
Herpes zoster is incurable, but it is treatable. And, many herpes infections, like chicken pox, it is preventable by vaccine.
Related Links: Herpes Viruses (Including the Chickenpox Virus) and the Eyes, Shingles Vaccine Works In Large Study
Technorati Tags: shingles, cold sores, fever blisters, chickenpox, herpes
Chicken pox, a herpes viral infection, was once considered a rite of passage for most children. Now, the routine varicella vaccine will prevent most of these cases, and even protect you against shingles. No one seems pay attention to cold sores, another herpes-type infection. Shingles will make a person take notice.
Shingles by any other name is still a form of herpes. There are many different kinds of herpetic infections, but questions regarding plain 'ol Shingles is one of the most frequent postings that occur on the WebMD General Health Board. Why?
Because in the United States, nearly 100% of adults have detectable herpes antibodies by the time they are 30 years old. Humans are the only source of infection, so we caught it from someone. In other words, nearly all of us have already been exposed and have the latent virus present in our bodies. The virus is just hanging around, living quietly in a nerve bundle, and suppressed by our immune systems.
For the vast majority of people, this virus will remain dormant for our lifetime. As we age or our immunity status changes, up to 10-20% of the population may experience the pain of herpes zoster (shingles). More than 66% of the people who develop herpes zoster are over the age of fifty; about five percent of the cases occur in children under the age of 15. Over a half of a million people will get herpes zoster this year in the U.S. In people who are immune compromised by HIV or undergoing cancer treatment with chemotherapy or radiation, the risk of getting herpes zoster increases eight-fold and can cause fatal complications.
If you have had chicken pox in your lifetime, you are considered immune just to chicken pox. Getting exposed to this herpes virus again may trigger activation and lead to a nasty case of shingles. Think about that when you send your child with chicken pox over to Grandma's house. Chicken pox is VERY contagious. Herpes Zoster is only about a third as contagious.
Herpes zoster involves nerve pathways. In the first stage of the illness, people will experience strange nerve pain, such as burning, stabbing, prickly, numb, or tingling. Some people complain that the area itches intensely. People may also experience headaches, malaise, or flu-like symptoms. No matter what, the early symptoms of herpes zoster certainly get your attention for about 3-5 days (sometimes as long as two weeks) before the characteristic skin blisters develop.
The skin lesions of herpes follow a nerve pathway and appear as groups or clusters of tiny, clear blisters (vesicles), often with an angry red or bluish base. Because zoster follows a nerve pathway and nerves do not cross the midline of the body, zoster will occur on just one side of your chest...your face...or your back...your leg...or your butt. Less commonly, they can occur in your mouth, your ear (Ramsay Hunt Syndrome) or genital area. A serious, sight-threatening form can involve the eye and always requires an immediate consultation with an ophthalmologist.
The typical course of a herpes zoster infection lasts two to three weeks, assuming you have a good immune system, but there is always a risk of developing PHN - Post-Herpetic Neuralgia. PHN is nerve pain that persists long after the zoster has resolved and is more prevalent in the elderly or people with eye involvement. Herpes zoster, like a bad relative, can also show up again and again throughout your lifetime.
Antiviral drugs like acyclovir and others may reduce the severity of herpes zoster it taken early. Pain medications are usually necessary. Moist dressings of water or saline can be soothing and help the inevitable pain. Capsaicin cream (made from the hottest chili peppers!) is also used for managing the pain of PHN.
Herpes zoster is incurable, but it is treatable. And, many herpes infections, like chicken pox, it is preventable by vaccine.
Related Links: Herpes Viruses (Including the Chickenpox Virus) and the Eyes, Shingles Vaccine Works In Large Study
Technorati Tags: shingles, cold sores, fever blisters, chickenpox, herpes
90 Comments:
I appreciate the info, but please touch on the paralysis. The left side of my face was covered with sores and my tongue was split in half with one half normal and the other half blistered. My jaw feels paralysed and it is 6 weeks ag that the blisters cleared up. I look like I have Bells Paulsy. How long will this last?
I'm not sure of the pain associated with PHN but I can surely testify to the severe itching that will not allow you to sleep, wear clothing comfortably or just sit for an extended period of time. My epidemic first occurred in 1997, though today I do not get the cluster of blisters unless I am stressed or not getting enough sleep the situation with the itching is still as intense as day 1 ten years ago.
can a person get the Shingles more than once?
I might have been infected with hiv about four months ago and all of a sudden I have shingles. Could that be related? Could I be showing sytoms this soon?
Can the vaccine be given after having an outbreak of shingles (ear)? If so, how long should you wait before getting it?
how can a 5yr old chold who recieved the chicken pox vaccine, get diagnosed with shingles?
my 11 year old daughter who was vacinated for chicken pox has a terrible case of shingles in her eyes and face. it's been 10 days since it started. seen cornea specialist her gave her anti viral medicine. how long will it last and what about scarring?
my husband on his left eye has blisters and his eye is all swollen! And when it leaks it leaves even more blisters where ever it leaks! Also he has extreme shooting pain in his eye and really bad headache only on the left half of his head...is this shingles or herpes zoster?
I was diagnosed with Post-Herpetic Neuralgia three months ago. I'm eighteen and nothing works. Does anyone have any answers that will help the pain?
eugcyxI contracted Herpes in 1969. At That time no one knew what it was. At first the lesions were in my genital area. It first found out what Herpys was from an article in playboy. My outbreakes now occure on my lower back. This change of outbreak location occured about 20 years ago around 1987. My outbreaks are brutal sometimes the neoropathy lasts for months. On my back at my belt loop leval is a cluster of permenant scars. I find that a regiment of 5mg valium 2X per day + lots of L-Lysine helps keep the number of attacks per year down. But I still get at least 4 attacks per year.
I have been diagnosed with Herpes, the weird thing is that I get them on different parts of my body and hardly genital. When i was diagnosed it was full blown genital. Is there any way to treat them they are not very pleasing to look at. I get them on my hands, ears, legs and lower and upper back HELP!!!
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My five year old son was diagnosed with shingles. The strange thing is he has had the chicken pox vaccine. The dermatologist that diagnosed him says she is seeing alot of these cases in children who have had the vaccination for chickenpox that have be exposed to chickenpox. My son is in a lot of pain. I would have rather he got chicken pox.
my children were recently diagnosed with chicken pox even though they were given the vaccine as babies. now i appear to have the same thing but their pediatrician told me it was shingles. after all my research so far i haven't been able to conclude that someone can get shingles from being around a child with chicken pox. True?
To the anonymous commenter above, here is an excerpt from Dr. Moser's post:
If you have had chicken pox in your lifetime, you are considered immune just to chicken pox. Getting exposed to this herpes virus again may trigger activation and lead to a nasty case of shingles. Think about that when you send your child with chicken pox over to Grandma's house. Chicken pox is VERY contagious. Herpes Zoster is only about a third as contagious.
The Herpes Zoster virus causes both chicken pox and shingles.
I'm 18 years old and have had shingles 5 times in three months. The first time I had it I was seventeen and I'd get it and then it would go away and a week later I'd get it again. The pattern continued four more times, and it finaly went away until about six months ago. I can still feel the shooting pain through my left arm and hand. Sometimes my hand even shakes a little. Will it ever go away?
I had shingles about 2 years ago on the right side of my face. It shot intense pain starting in the middle of my chin to the top of my head. Just on the right side. I got the worse headaches with unbearable pain. nothing helped. to this day i still have terrable itching on my forehead at times and continue to have horrable headaches. could these issues be related?
I have a recurring tormenting rash that dermotologists have been unable to diagnose. I've been through allergy tests, a biopsy of one of the bumps, experimental diets, and a wide variety of treatments, none of which has truly helped. A recent blood test revealed that my level for HSV 1 was extremely high (I think 49 when the max was supposed to be 8); my HSV 2 levels came back normal. I am wondering if HSV 1 has ever been known to cause a rash. I have CMV and have had various health issues due to that virus. I'm just at my wit's end because when the rash shows back up, the pain and itching are unstoppable.
Your sight said and I have heard other physicians say that having shingles on both sides does not happen. That is not true. I have shingles on both sciatic nerves/buttocks and both sides have been biopsied. I had shingles first in my throat as a teen I am now 63 and have them constantly. They will be dormant perhaps 4-5 days sometimes 2-weeks but they are always there under the skin and if I get upset or tired or stressed in any way the process begins anew and we all know life can be tiring and stressing so I guess that's why they are always with me?
First the severe burning, aching, itching deep inside, always at the same spots and then the fever and chills to where my teeth chatter and flu-like feeling and then usually after 3-5 days finally some relief when they erupt. With each occassion there are usually new ones that join the picnic. I have them on both sciatic nerves and my spine and there numerous ones under my scalp that have not erupted but a few that have and also across my forehead and down left side to bottom of left ear. Using the common drugs does not help because I have had them for so long in fact it makes the pain much worse because it takes longer for them to erupt. Capsasin cream directly in to the exposed nerve is some relief and pain patches but I have nerve damage now and do walk with cane before some eruptions and bedfast before some eruptions then afterwards get some relief. I stay home a lot and wear hanging dresses, no underweaar and rest as much as possible and take Darvocet only because I know this is going to get much worse as I get older and don't want to do heavy duty drugs now. I had had open heart surgery in 2000 and have been told that perhaps made my case much more severe as local physicians cannot believe what they see and the frequency they see it. Do you have any suggestions why this is happening or what relief if any there is for continual shingles?
Thanks for listening.
When I wake up in the morning my eyes are sensitive and they feel like they have something in my eyes. After about 5 minutes of being awake it goes away, what is it? I get cold sores on my lips, is this a form of herpes in my eyes?
ronda,
The only way to answer your question is to have your eyes examined by a qualified professional in person. I did find this guide to herpes and the eye for you to read also.
Take care!
Does anyone know if one can experience the tingling and pain that occurs prior to the blisters breaking out - without the blisters breaking out?
I have a case of shingles, which is about three weeks in. It's healing nicely enough, but about three days ago, my left ear (The side that the breakout was on) has this odd ringing constantly. It hurts when I chew, or speak.. or even when I open my mouth the tiniest bit.
Sometimes, it dies down, but then it goes up, usually at night. At first, I thought that I could sleep it off, but I'd only wake up to not being able to hear very well. I'm not sure if it's necessary to see a doctor, but I also heard that it could cause permanent hearing loss or brain damage, if it was the shingles. Help?
I was diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt in November of last year and most of the paralysis is gone but I have been left with stroke like symptoms. Balance is not good and I have trouble with thought processing. Is this common and does it ever get better or worse? I seem to get exagerated symptoms when tired or stressed.
I need to know if shingles will cross the forehead? Mine started behind my left ear, up the side of my head across the forehead down the right side of my head and ended behind my right ear. The dermatologist said it can't be shingles because shingles does not cross the middle of the body. My internist says it has to be. This is the 3rd time it has happened and it is always the same.
I was dx. with Ramsay-Hunt a year ago. Am still experiencing balance problems, loss of taste in my mouth, right eye does not blink or tear, some problems with thought processing. I had a weight implanted in my eyelid to help with the blink- much relief from discomfort of dry eye. Would recommend this simple procedure. My 13 yr. old son contacted chicken pox from me during the shingles outbreak though he had been vaccinated for chicken pox.
Doctors don't seem to know too much about prognosis of this syndrome. Time will tell... they say. My recommedation, pray to the Great Physician, the Lord Jesus Christ!
My boyfriend developed a painful throat infection which contains some sort of white patches near his tonsils. He cannot swallow and has trouble eating and drinking. He cannot swallow his spit and has to sleep with a towel underneath him...the doctors couldn't diagnose his problem.. what could this be?
Can you you get shingles on your head? I have two very ditictive spots on the right side of my head that are extremly tender to the touch. There is also intermittant pain I would discribe as poking. The pains also develop into a head ache. This has lastes approx. 2 1/2months. There is no rash or lesions.
I am 24 and at this very second am infected with shingles... it is horribly painful! yesterday i left work to go to the emergency room thinking of all it could be. It first started in my ear about a week ago, i thought i had an ear infection then days later my eye hurt, and i thought it was a sty "except my whole eye hurt, it wasn't pain from one spot.' it wasn't till i got the sharp tingling pain "which felt somewhat like falling head first into redwood chips on my forehead" i couldn't place the pain then a day or so later a quarter size bump appeared.... so now i was nervous all these things had to be related the night before i decided i had to go to the emergency room .. because i also had a gland in front of my ear lobe swollen and then noticed another swollen gland below my jaw and ANOTHER BUMP on my neck which is a gland ....the worst part it the pain! i called in my local hospital in tears and they said come in at 10:30am if i came in early they would try to get my in sooner this being 8:50am i got there nearly ten minutes early and sat in the waiting room for nearly an HOUR crying from the pain! I just walked out and had my boyfriend leave work as i had to drive me 1 hour and fifteen minutes away to the next hospital ! the pain is just horrible the whole right side of my head hurts and my forehead swollen with blisters throbbing stabbing needle pricks i my head if i make any expression ill regret it majorly~ i cant even sleep on my right side :( my boyfriends grandma had it years ago on her head 2. i wouldnt wish this to anyone. and im still mad at the so called emergency assistance at the hospital here! HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JUST LIKE THE PAIN!!!!!! i am a healthy fit young women no diseases or STD"S i had the chicken pox is all i never even had a cold soar before. i didnt even get ill this winter i did last winter and that year i HAD A FLU SHOT !!!!!
pcwabjzI am 24 and at this very second am infected with shingles... it is horribly painful! yesterday i left work to go to the emergency room thinking of all it could be. It first started in my ear about a week ago, i thought i had an ear infection then days later my eye hurt, and i thought it was a sty "except my whole eye hurt, it wasn't pain from one spot.' it wasn't till i got the sharp tingling pain "which felt somewhat like falling head first into redwood chips on my forehead" i couldn't place the pain then a day or so later a quarter size bump appeared.... so now i was nervous all these things had to be related the night before i decided i had to go to the emergency room .. because i also had a gland in front of my ear lobe swollen and then noticed another swollen gland below my jaw and ANOTHER BUMP on my neck which is a gland ....the worst part it the pain! i called in my local hospital in tears and they said come in at 10:30am if i came in early they would try to get my in sooner this being 8:50am i got there nearly ten minutes early and sat in the waiting room for nearly an HOUR crying from the pain! I just walked out and had my boyfriend leave work as i had to drive me 1 hour and fifteen minutes away to the next hospital ! the pain is just horrible the whole right side of my head hurts and my forehead swollen with blisters throbbing stabbing needle pricks i my head if i make any expression ill regret it majorly~ i cant even sleep on my right side :( my boyfriends grandma had it years ago on her head 2. i wouldnt wish this to anyone. and im still mad at the so called emergency assistance at the hospital here! HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JUST LIKE THE PAIN!!!!!! i am a healthy fit young woman no diseases or STD"S i had the chicken pox is all i never even had a cold soar before. i didnt even get ill this winter i did last winter and that year i HAD A FLU SHOT !!!!!
OH YEAH TRY THIS FOR PAIN " -LANACANE- MAXIMUM STRENGHT ANESTHETIC/ANTISEPTIC ANTI-BACTERIAL FIRST AID SPRAY FOR SUNBURNS SCRAPES CUTS ITCHY BITES AND POISON IVY/OAK HELPS PREVENT INFECTION PLUS VITAMIN E & ALOE VERA COOLS INSTANTLY FAST DRYING " THIS IS GOOOOOOOOD HELPS EASE THE SURFACE PAIN ALOT I SWEAR
i have a small patch on my lower back this is the third time in the same spot itches bad than breaks out in small blisters is this herpes... skin scared also..........HELP
i have a small patch on my left arm. it kinda looks like some kind of bacteria rash. but it itches real bad, it dont hurt, just itches. and i imagine that its gonna scar. HELP ME PLZ
I have a small patch of liquid filled blisters on my lower back (center area where belt sits). This is not the first time this has happened. Before the blisters form my skin is painful, and when the blisters form it is itchy. I always get this in the same spot...what is this? Also I have this "burning" feeling on my butt and legs before the breakout...
does anyone no of any instances were long after the shingles are gone that spots occur on your right templor lobe of the brain?? my dad had shingles i think it was about 10 years ago and he had it all over his body, well last year the doctors find some black spots on his right templor lobe well they ruled out cancer and a tumor. But i read somewere in one case that someone had shingles and after about a few years they started having symptons of brain cancer but the doctor said no it wasnt then he found it that the shingles had spread onto his right templor lobe so if anybody could give me insight on this i would be very very greatfull
first of all this sounds silly but i promiss it works for itching ready VICKS vapor rub we use it for chickenpox, poision ivy mesqueto bites it just works. now my question i have been exposed to chicken pox dozens of times when my kids got them my dr. was worried because i'd never had them. i ran a daycare the pox worked its way though every child but not me. so i'm thinking maybe because i have always had cold sores real bad ones as a child turned to inventigo. is this the reason i never got/get the pox?
For the past 2 years I have been agonised by sores on my lips, cheeks and deep split on my tongue. I was hospitalized for three weeks after I had gotten very weak. I was treated with many different kinds of drugs which were all futile. The first set of splits healed but were not closed up. now there are new ones coming out. This painfull never ending exposure is unbearable. someone please advise and help.mabrala
Can you spread Shingles? If you scratch the blisters and don't wash your hands and touch another part of your body can the virus then appear in that area?
I've never had the chicken pox. I have pain in the left side of my face and scalp. They are treating me for shingles. I have no rach. Could this be from the cold sores I get instead of the pox??? Should I see another doctor???
Am 66 yr old F. Never chicken pox or others and never colds or flu, just whooping cough. Diagnosed with shingles on 5th day of rash. Had already treated redness with Prosacea (sulfur) and it lessened. NEVER NEVER HAD ANY PAIN!! All I've read says always pain? True or just me? AND WHY?
I'm sorry, but shingles is not just another word for Herpes. Yes the medicine to treat it is the same, because it is the same strand, but it is contracted in very different ways. Herpes is contracted through sexual activity, sharing fluids by mouth, and what not. Shingles is often contracted by YOUR GENES. More easily defined, it is the adult form of Chicken Pox, which also is NOT herpes. Shingles, for me, was brought on by stress when my husband deployed to Iraq. Not after a night of sleeping with a bunch of different men, or sharing drinks with someone who had oral herpes. Thank you for the info, but Herpes and Shingles are two separate illnesses, hence the two different names, and two totally different descriptions.
Zostavax is only licensed for shingles prevention in people ages 60 and over. Varivax for chicken pox is a lower dosage of the same live vector. Have any young adults or people under 60 had successful help from either vaccine after experiencing shingles outbreaks?
Herpes comes in difference forms. Hence: Shingles is Herpes Zoster. Cold sores are Herpes Simplex. I have had Herpes Zoster 4 times, and it does cross the axiom in extreme cases. Yes, tingling and blisters are prevalent before onset, and painful sharp pains should follow for up to 8 weeks. ----Do not post to anyone if you have not seen more than 3 doctors regarding this topic--- you are misinforming many people and you should be ashamed for misleading them. Thank you, and God bless those who are inflicted - it will pass. Be strong and it will pass.
I appreciate the general description, but am neither more informed for the effort. Lectures on ethics and morality have their place elsewhere, but I was under the impression that comments here were intended to share relevant and helpful information. I asked a direct question, so please only reply if you have a real account or data to share. I work in the vaccine industry and am well voiced in medical literature. The young adult population afflicted with shingles is under investigated and I have concern for a dear friend. I appreciate any help that those of you can provide, but please keep lectures to yourself as no misinformation was provided. I am open to help others should they have questions. Best of luck.
For 1 year I have suffered with multiples tests trying to figure out why I feel the way I do. I have had numbness and tingling on the left side of my body. Burning sensation on chest all without outbreak. I have undergone tests such as MRI of Spine, MRI of Brain, Chest Xrays, tested for lupus, MS, possible stroke. All of which turned out negative. I had blood work up on Varicella Zoster Positive...I have not broke out in any blisters. However the pain has been so bad for 8 months..I have been thinking it is Heartattack, Cancer...but turned out positive for Varicella Zoster (Shingles/Herpes) I have been a healthy mom of 4, Do not understand if this is truely what I have why no blisters or breakout???
my 70 year old dad is in the hospital with pains on the left side of his head & constant headaches. He had pus-filled scabs on his face, which the doctor cut into. The doctor is stumped & thinks this is staph infection. What does anyone else think?
My Dad is 83 years old he is suffering with shingles since past 3 years. He had chiken pox in India at age 80 ( as we were told )His ear and toungh were infected. The treatment contnued here in US and we were told that he had developed Shingles in his mouth. However, since past 2 years he is having pain only in his toungh. He developed a small darkish spot in the center of his toungh which hurts. He is taking Neurontin TID. The pain still persists. The pain is severe during the night. He hardly sleeps and I think he is under stress which he don't talk about. He is not on any sleep meds.He is diabetic & hypertensive He takes meds for that too. Sleep meds were sofar not prescribed as he can be incontinental. He is on meds for poor bladder control i.e. Hytrin. The concern at present is about the spot on his toungh, which may be a symptom of Shingles. The pain is not controlled with present meds. What alternates we have to provide him relief.Please suggest or email at jsyed@excite.com Thanks.
In 2007 a dear friend and employee was shot and killed. I was devastated. Exactly one month later I came down with my first attach of shingles. It was brutal and took weeks to clear. I thought I was out of the woods..... no such luck. I had attacks in a regular 4-6 week cycle after that. Each attack was (just) a little milder than the first so there was some hope. I did the early anti-viral meds on the first two and it didn't seem to make much difference. I started taking an immune boosters three times a day the minute I saw the first bump and I think that's what has been the most effective. Now I'll get a few little bumps, start my routine and they are gone within two days. Let me note, I'm NOT a disciplined person. I have never experienced pain like an active outbreak before and am willing to do what I need to to keep clear. My routine now is: buffered vit. C (because it's time release and doesn't just wash out of the system) and Lysine 3 times per day. Early on when I needed something a little stronger I used the Immune boosting multi vitamins from Peak nutrients. They are the most effective I've found.
Can anyone tell me how long the incubation period for someone who has touched shingles blisters might be?
I have shingles and Bells palsy together.What natural remedy do you suggest other than medicines.
I am diabetic and have hi blood pressure. I have pin pricks stabbing pains and I itch all at the same time. Sometimes the pain is hard to take. I have had this for about 2 mos. What is this? help!!
I have PHN. I never had the rash from Shingles, but I know the pain. I use a mixture of 100% organic Geranium oil diluted with Jojoba oil. You MUST dilute the Geranium oil. Add 5 drops (or less) of Geranium oil to 10 drops of Jojoba oil and apply to UNbroken skin. You would NEVER want to apply this to a rash or sensitive area like the eyes or in the mouth. Use common sense people, and I hope this mixture helps some of you out there.
Can you get shingles on your butt in only two spots?
I have red spots on my back but also a lot of canker soars all in my mouth and i also been getting headaches soar throat and have a herpes rash on my lip is this shingles since i am only 15
can having shingles while pregrant harm the baby if so how i had them durning the last part of the first trimester and early during the secaond trimester
I an 24 years old and i was diagnosed with shingles yesterday....when the doctor told me i was in shock, i have always associated that disease with the elderly. I keep reading that when you get the shingles at a young age its due to Aids, HIV, or cancer treatment...that really scares me!!! I never get sick, never had he flu but recently i had a cold.....i have hyperthyroidism and the medicine i take (PTU) tend to lower you ammune system so im really hoping thats what it is, im going to stop taking them while i have shingles so my ammune system can get stronger.
my husband has got in on his left side of head and eye, its very very painful, he said he carnt stand the headache, he had got aciclovir to take 5x day, and zovorix eye cream, he is 59 and we hop it wont affect his eyesight, he has been checked at the hospt, but this morning his eye is very swollen and he cannot open it, my grandaughter had chicken pox last week, so looks like he got shingle virus from her.
I have had out breaks of Shingles every 2 years or so since I was 18. Mostly appears on my neck, last time on my trunk, Doctors tell me I can get this only one time.... what is it that I have then?
I would like to know if anyone knows if heart problems and shingles can be related. My aunt has had shingles for about four years since her son died. Last week she had to have a pacemaker put in her heart and now her shingles are completely gone.
I have this rash on my nose every year, usually in the spring.It starts out with my nose itching like crazy, then there are clear blisters and more itching. It is only on one side and my nose becomes huge and red like "Rudolph". The blisters then dry up and crust over. (Which really looks gross, something crusty on your nose!)I have had a cold sore on my lip once in my life, and it really hurt. This does not hurt, just itches so much. I usually put Neosporin on it. Someone suggested I take Lysine and use tea tree oil. My sister also has the same rash on her nose. Also several months ago, I saw an eye specialist about some problems with my vision and he said I had herpes in my eyes and gave me antiviral drops.Any suggestions?Guess I'm looking for a miracle cure that will dry it up today as I have a very important meeting on Monday. Could this be stress related?
I had back surgery 8 weeks ago, and now I have shingles in my breast, under my arm, upper back. I have taken the medicine for 9 days. The rash is just starting to dry up. The pain in my brast feels just like I need to nurse. The nipple hurts. The pain is worse than the back pain from surgery. I have heart disease had heart attack in 2004.
my lips started to become very dry. Little dark spot, not that dark appeared. I started to drink more water thinking thats why im having dry lips and using chapstick. Well all of a sudden im getting little bumps and now my lips are swollen. Im embarrased to step a foot outside my home.Is this herpes on the lips?
I have been reading all these comments about herpes sufferers, and the varying degrees of their outbreaks,ages, and circumstances, and it breaks my heart---which compells me to share some information. I hope all those that try this get the same relief it has brought to me for more than 3 decades. Unfortunately for medical professionals and their counterparts in the drug industry, this symptom reliever is a vitamin-- Lysine is the one thing I can count on to prevent my shingles from becoming a problem. It is an amino acid that your body makes naturally and stores in your liver for your cells to use. If you are exhausted, stressed, or your immune system is depleted, there may not be enough Lysine stored in your body, and it would then help to supplement. This vitamin is inexpensive and readily available in most stores that sell vitamins (like Walmart). You can find studies on the web that outline its benefits, but I can try to explain the way I have understood since I was 17 and was first diagnosed with shingles. I am 49, and because of my job as a programmer, can count on the beginnings of a shingles eruption 4-6 times a year. Whenever I feel the 'funny' under-the-skin itchy sensation in the same place on by hip, I know what's coming, so I immediately take 1000 to 2000mg of Lysine in the morning, and again before bed (always take after a meal, but not with milk). After several days the bumps that began to appear turn to a reddish rough spot and are soon gone. No major itching or irritation, and it works for my husband who used to suffer from cold sores. I tell everyone I know after I hear their terrible suffering stories, and those that have tried this for themselves (because some don't believe in vitamin benefits), thank me for changing their life in a positive way. This is just one link that reinforces what I have been doing for 30 years with success: http://www.forces-of-nature.net/topics/herpes/lysine-treatment.htm. To explain it in lay terms, the herpes virus (all types) can not yet be cured. In healthy happy individuals with strong immune systems --but that may have been exposed--the virus lies in dormancy in the nerve bundles connected to the site of exposure (sleeping in your spinal cord, for instance). There is an ideal environment for this virus to thrive in your cells, and that is whenever the amino acid Arginine is in greater amounts in your cells than the level of Lysine. The increase in Arginine can come from consuming lots of nuts, chocolate, or other foods that contain this, or if you get your body run down. Once the available Lysine stored in your liver can enhance the quantities available to your cells, the active virus travels back down the nerves and goes back to sleep. (I apologize for the simplistic imagery used here, but not everyone understands the medical terminology spoken about this condition and its treatments). I would be blessed if at least one person reading this could benefit from this little-known remedy. One friend of one mine suffered every year for MONTHS with mouth sores that started as a few cold sores, until they would cover half his tongue and mouth and inside his throat. He could lose 25-30 lbs before the sores would fade enough to allow him to eat normally. I told him about Lysine and gave him a bottle so he wouldn't make excuses, and he dreaded the work he would likely miss as the first bumps made their appearance. But he followed the regimen, and 4 days later he was thanking me profusely for "curing" his problem before it even got started!! This not a cure, though. It only suppresses the symptoms. Read more about Lysine interactions and side-effects on the Internet, and check with your doctor that this won't have an adverse effect on your current condition before taking it. I would not recommend it to others if I didn't have amazing results of my own...and my family and friends. God Bless you all...
ok im not certain if i have herpes on my lips or is it just extremely dry lips.. right now if i drink alchohol or soda it sort of burns or tingles on the lips.. no sores have appear however there are some dark marks..i am constantly putting on blistec or chapsticks.. HELLPPPPPP.. any info you can provide will be greatly appreciated. Thanks~
If you have a question about herpes, you may want to post it on the Genital Herpes message board or on Dr. Moser's Ear, Nose & Throat message board.
i need to find some help or a specialist on shingles my first outbreak i was 7 years old.then agian when i was 22 and pregenat,that was ten years ago and i have had continious out breaks ever since generally on my left hip and buttcheck.last year i had an outbreak on the right side of my forehead and the past 9 months or so i swear my left foot is breaking out the two doctors ive seen say its siatica but i have had siatica problems since i was 14 and this is not the same i dont know where to go or who to see i tried a pain clinic the arent taken self pay patients right now this pain has taken my life away i need answers help
I have been diadnosed with shingles in my left ear. I am 58 years old. About 5 years ago my Mom had them. Now I find out that its greater to get shingles when a close relative has had them. I have never in my life experienced the pain that this is causing me. My heart and sympthy goes out to all of you.
I am 60 years old and have been having Shingles out breaks for more than 20 years. If I get stressed out I know it won't be long until have to deal with them . I sometimes often get Epstine Barr during or after having the shingles. It surprises me that the public thinks that you can only get Shingles once. That would be nice, but not true
I am in recovery from a bout of shingles diagnosed 7 days ago and would just like to add here that me and my GP believe my shingles outbreak was triggered by a medical specialist (endocrinologist) significantly increasing the amount of PTU prescribed for my over-active thyroid in preparation for an operation to remove it.
Prior to diagnosis and formation of the blisters, and only a few days after the increase in meds, I experienced incredibly intense pain in my back to the point where I thought I had torn a muscle, broken something or at one point I wondered whether it was gallstones. Mysteriously I could find no sore spot in my back which gradually grew over a few days into intense heat, swelling and tenderness around my middle on one side.
I visited the GP abot 7 days after the specialist upped my prescription concerned about the itchy feeling I was having and the pain in my back and wondering whether it was related to the PTU increase. He agreed and put the itchiness down to the drugs but although I felt like I had a rash, it was not yet visible on the skin (front side at least), and he did not make the connection with shingles. Three days of growing pain and discomfort later my partner saw a spot on my ribs he thought might be a shingle and i was back in the GP's office the next day, where the doc also discovered blisters on my back. Its 7 days later and although thankfully the pain is easing and the shingles are disappearing I still feel discomfort on my front side where this all might have started, and the pain sensation has died down an occasional uncomfortable tingling in one spot which is eerily familiar and is making me wonder whether I've been on the verge of this for some time.
i am just ending the 3rd week of having shingles. I only had a small outbreal of blisters on my right hip. Then a few on my shoulder. All the spost are ehaled but I have been having a tingling sensation in both my hands. Has anybody else had this symptom?
Just read the comments about Herpes,chickenpox,fever blisters etc.. The post about L-lysine is as far as i'm concerned true. I've had fever blisters since I was 5yrs old. I'm 53 now. As I got older going to school was torture because the other kids made fun. In high School the comments and jokes became nasty. The first few days of an outbreak I would stay home. The swelling would go down then the scabs. Finally when I was in my early 20's a coworker told me about Lysine. Her 12 yr old daughter took it for cold sores. I couldn't believe it. I would still occansionally get a blister but not as bad and they didn't last as long. As I got older I would go for years and not get one. During the cold season I would double up on my dose. I still take a 500mg one with my daily vitamins. Reducing stress and getting enough rest helps also.Take time to relax. I have lot of pets which I enjoy and seem to be my saving grace.Hope this helps someone who's suffering. You can buy the at Walmart and they are cheap.
Having had success with L-Lysine in treating cold sores in my family, I am wondering if this supplement might also be useful in treatment of Shingles.
Patjo
Can I take medication for Shingles, if I have all the symptoms, but no blisters have surfaced yet?
I am 31 years old and have just developed shingles. they rap around my lower belly to my back. Sence most people get this after fifty should i be concerned about cancer or hiv? i take blood presure meds. diovan and norvasc.Sometimes skipping a dose as i my just forget. and i work as a nurse aide and a resident of mine just got off isolation for shingles. i had chicken pox as a kid.
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Eat white potatoes; {they contain L-lysine). one or two a day, baked.
im so confused... my doctor diagnosed me w. shingles but im not sure i have it. i have no pain where the rash is, its just itchy. but my back is killing me. and two of my lymphs are inflamed. is there anyway it could be non hodgkins lymphoma.
I am confused by one part of this person's article. He says:
"If you have had chicken pox in your lifetime, you are considered immune just to chicken pox. Getting exposed to this herpes virus again may trigger activation and lead to a nasty case of shingles. Think about that when you send your child with chicken pox over to Grandma's house. Chicken pox is VERY contagious. Herpes Zoster is only about a third as contagious."
But this is the only place I can find that suggests that Shingles can trigger a Shingles outbreak in someone else who has had Chicken Pox. Everywhere else I have looked has said that Shingles is only contagious as Chicken Pox to others who have not already had Chicken Pox. Every other source has said that you CANNOT contract Shingles from someone.
Please note that two, separate doctors and one chiropractor (for what it's worth) told me that Shingles is only contagious as Chicken Pox. Further, I've listed my online sources below, including:
- The Center for Disease Control (CDC)
- Shingles.com
- This website: WebMD
If what this person says is true, then either he is being very unclear, I have misunderstood him, or he needs to let the CDC know about his findings.
Sources:
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC):
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Shingles/
"Shingles cannot be passed from one person to another. However, a person with active shingles can transmit the virus that causes shingles, VZV, to a person who has never had chickenpox – but only through direct contact with the shingles rash. If a person who has never had chickenpox is infected with VZV, he or she will develop chickenpox, not shingles."
According to Shingles.com:
http://www.shingles.com:80/info/about/what/who_gets.jsp?usertrack.filter_applied=true&NovaId=2229645052129356811
"You cannot catch shingles from someone who has it. However, the rash that occurs with shingles sheds the same varicella zoster virus that causes chicken pox and may be contagious. So, if you have not had chicken pox or have not been vaccinated against the varicella zoster virus, you can develop chicken pox (not shingles) if you come in contact with someone who has shingles. People with shingles can transmit the virus only if the blisters have broken and the virus is transmitted when skin-to-skin contact with broken blisters occurs."
According to this website, WebMD:
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/shingles/shingles-topic-overview
"You can't catch shingles from someone else who has shingles. But a person with a shingles rash can spread chickenpox to another person who hasn't had chickenpox and who hasn't gotten the chickenpox vaccine."
Please note, also, that none of these sources say anything about exposure to VZV causing reactivation in someone who has already been exposed. Why has this escaped the notice of the CDC, WebMD, and two independent doctors?
My humble hypothesis is that this freelance blogger has left the realm of "clinical study" with this particular comment, and ventured into the dangerous area of "informed personal speculation."
ARE YOU KIDDING? EVERY DISEASE HAS A LIST OF SYMPTOMS. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE EVERY SYMPTOM TO HAVE THE DISEASE. SECONDLY, NOT EVERY ONE WHO HAS HAD CHICKEN POX WILL GET SHINGLES. JUST LIKE NOT EVERY ONE WHO GETS SHINGLES WILL HAVE POST HERPETIC NEURALGIA.THIRDLY, YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT ALL FORMS OF THIS BE IT CHICKEN POX,SHINGLES,OR COLD SORES/FEVER BLISERS ARE HERPES. IF YOUR PCP TELLS YOU DIFFERENT YOU NEED TO SEE A NEW PCP.FOURTH, EVERYONE WILL HAVE A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE WHEN THEY HAVE ONE OF THESE.IT IS USUALLY BASED ON YOUR STRESS LEVEL,HOW HEALTHY YOU EAT ECT... HOWEVER THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO DO EVERYTHING RIGHT AND STILL GET SICK.LYSINE IS VERY EFFECIVE FOR ABOUT 30% OF PEOPLE AND SOMEWHAT EFFECTIVE FOR 30% MORE.ALL FORMS OF THIS ARE CONTAGIOUS.ANOTHER THING THAT WILL SHOCK MOST PEOPLE IS THAT 90% OF THE GENERAL POPULATION HAVE THIS VIRUS DORMANT IN THEIR BODIES. THIS VIRUS DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE BASED ON RACE,SEX,OR HOW MUCH MONEY YOU MAKE. IT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY VIRUS. ANY FORMS OF HERPES TYPE I ARE NOT NORMALLY SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED BUT CAN BE.IT CAN ALSO BE TRANSMITTED BY A PERSON FROM THEIR MOUTH TO THEIR GENITALS AND IT IS STILL HERPES I,NOT THE USUALLY SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED STRAIN.THE PROBLEM IS THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS OR THEY COULD TREAT AND /OR CURE IT. I HAD CHICKEN POX(A VERY MILD CASE) AT 17. IT WAS ONLY ON MY STOMACH. I AM NOW 43 AN 6 MONTHS AGO GOT A SMALL PATCH OF SHINGLES ON MY RIGHT ARM. IT WAS VERY SHORT LIVED. HOWEVER,NOW I SUFFER FROM PHN. I AM IN EXTREME PAIN EVERYDAY.SOME DAYS I CAN NOT EVEN LIFT MY ARM. IT IS THE WORSE PAIN OUTSIDE OF HAVING BABIES THAT I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED.MY PCP PRESCRIBED ME LIDODERM PATCHES. THEY CONTAIN ONLY LIDOCAINE THAT IS DELIVERED TRANSDERMALLY. IT IS NEVER ABSORBED INTO YOUR SYSTEM IT ONLY REACHES THE NERVE LEVELS AND HELPS CALM AND SOOTHE THE PAIN. THEY WORK VERY WELL FOR ME. BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ABSORBED INTO YOUR SYSTEM YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT DRUG INTERACTIONS OR GETTING HOOKED ON NARCOTICS.THEY ARE EXPENSIVE SO YOU WILL PROBABLY NEED GOOD INSURANCE TO GET THEM. THEY ARE ONLY AVAILABLE BY PRESCRIPTION.THEY COST AROUND $200.00 PER 30. I USE 90 PER MONTH. I ONLY HAVE TO PAY A $9.00 CO-PAY. YOU CAN USE UP TO THREE AT A TIME. YOU CAN ONLY LEAVE THEM ON FOR TWELVE HOURS THEN YOU REMOVE THEM FOR TWELVE HOURS. I HOPE THIS HELPS SOME OF YOU. ALSO, IF YOUR DOCTOR SCRAPES THE AREA WHERE YOU ARE HAVING THE OUTBREAK, HE CAN LOOK AT IT UNDER A MICROSCOPE. WITH THIS YOU WOULD BE HIGHLY UNLIKELY TO GET THE WRONG DIAGNOSES.ABOVE ALL THINGS ASK QUESTIONS UNTIL YOU GET THE ANSWERS THAT YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH. ALSO, READ ANY AND EVERY PAMPHLET,POSTER,HANDOUT & BOOK YOU CAN FIND. GO TO THE LIBRARY,HOSPITAL AND EVEN GOOD-WILL HAS A GREAT SELECTION OF MEDICAL BOOKS. EDUCATE YOURSELF ABOUT WHATEVER MEDICAL PROBLEMS YOU HAVE. YOU KNOW YOURSELF BETTER THAN YOUR DOCTOR AND YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING THE MEDICAL CARE YOU NEED AND DESERVE.
YOUR DOCTOR CAN ONLY GIVE YOU AN EDUCATED GUESS SOMETIMES. HE IS ONLY A PHYSICIAN NOT A FAITH HEALER.IF WHAT YOUR DOCTOR TELLS YOU IS CONTRARY TO WHAT YOU HAVE READ,TELL HIM WHAT YOU HAVE READ.IF YOU CANNOT HAVE AN HONEST TWO-WAY CONVERSATION WITH YOUR DOCTOR YOU MAY WANT TO THINK ABOUT FINDING ANOTHER DOCTOR. SOMETIMES I CAN BE AS SIMPLE AS A PERSONALITY CONFLICT. THERE ARE A HANDFUL OF DOCTORS WHO BELIEVE THAT THEIR OPINION IS THE RIGHT OPINION. MOST DOCTORS HOWEVER ARE VERY CARING AND DEVOTED INDIVIDUALS. I AM VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE HAD THE SAME PCP FOR 10 YEARS. HE HAS ALWAYS LISTENED TO ME AND THEN I LISTEN TO HIM & TOGETHER WE DISCUSS TREATMENT OPTIONS.HE HAS NEVER FORCED HIS OPINION ON ME AND ALWAYS DOES TEST TO CONFIRM HIS DIAGNOSIS AND ALWAYS FOLLOWS UP WITH ME. HE HAS EVEN CALLED MY HOUSE IF I FORGOT TO GET A CERTAIN TEST OR BLOODWORK ETC...HE ALSO HAS CALLED A HANDFUL OF TIMES THE NIGHT AFTER I HAD SEEN HIM THAT DAY TO TELL ME IF HE FOUND OUT VIA TEST OR READING MY CHART MORE IN DEPTH THAT HE FOUND OUT SOMETHING MORE.
Is it ok to take Lysine in conjunction with Acyclovir during an outbreak? My friend was just diagnosed with Shingles and was prescribed Acyclovir. I have been reading up on Lysine and was wondering if these two can be taken together to aleviate symptoms.
I do not know of any reactions between acyclovir & Lysine. However,it is always best to check with ones own PCP as everyone is different. Some may be taking another medicine, even long term aspirin therapy and because it is an OTC(over the counter) they may think it is harmless. I would also tell them to study up on Post Herpetic Neuralgia. I suffer from this and it is extremely painful.I hope this helps.
Glad but sad that there are other sufferers out there. I get shingles on my face, right between the eyes and down the left side every time I get a bit low. Nothing helps really, take highest dose pain killers I can get and then I'm off with the fairys and just lose days at a time. This virus is a nightmare, I cannot work and have found that over the years, everyone goes from being sympathetic to to disinterest and frustration as if its my fault. I went through a period of getting it every six weeks or so, then helped by a homeopath it stopped for a year or so, then built myself up so it stopped for a few years, then the last few years it seems to pop up about every six months or so. Everyone says just to keep well and be healthy and avoid stress but just how on earth do you do that. The tiredness has led me to overeat trying to find some energy and I have put on over 4 stone in the last 19 years since it started. If anyone has any more ideas I would be really interested to hear them. Will try the lysine idea. Is it available to buy, I have found doctors to be completely useless.
I've had itchie testicles for a while. I just wrote it of as jock itch. I recently realized the hair on my testicles was getting thinner and falling out easily (pull on slightly). I still have hair on them but am still a little freaked. Went and got them checked out, the doc said nothing was weird. The itching seems to be getting worse, kindof a slight burning feeling. I don't see any sores or anything, though it is a little red on my testicles and the bottom of my penis. I also feel painless muscle spasms in my back/stomack/legs and face, only when I'm not doing anything, and not really that severe, just noticeable sometimes. And sometimes random slight tingling/numbness, but no pain. And have been feeling lethargic. Don't know if any of these are related. I'm going to the doctors tommorrow. Also have a anoyying pain in my right testicle, they told me that it was normal and there is no lump, so I have to live with it. I feel like i'm growing old and I'm 23, this sucks. Any Help?
I've had itchie testicles for a while. I just wrote it of as jock itch. I recently realized the hair on my testicles was getting thinner and falling out easily (pull on slightly). I still have hair on them but am still a little freaked. Went and got them checked out, the doc said nothing was weird. The itching seems to be getting worse, kindof a slight burning feeling. I don't see any sores or anything, though it is a little red on my testicles and the bottom of my penis. I also feel painless muscle spasms in my back/stomack/legs and face, only when I'm not doing anything, and not really that severe, just noticeable sometimes. And sometimes random slight tingling/numbness, but no pain. And have been feeling lethargic. Don't know if any of these are related. I'm going to the doctors tommorrow. Also have a anoyying pain in my right testicle, they told me that it was normal and there is no lump, so I have to live with it. I feel like i'm growing old and I'm 23, this sucks. Any Help?
I got the shingles vaccine at age of 61 and 3 days later got Bell's Palsey. Since it is the same virus, I wonder if the vaccine caused the palsey.
Hi,
I am in the middle of my first shingles episode. I have a small localized rash under my right armpit. I have been putting pure aloe vera gel on it and I can honestly say that it is definitely helping. I just apply the gel with a tissue whenever the pain becomes intolerable again. It has taken the edge off the pain, actually it has done more than that. It has made the pain considerably more tolerable. I hope this helps someone else.
I'm 45, and get shingles alot, stressed, upset, and I get them, luckly they are on my lower back. When I first notice them, a start taking ACYCLOVIR 400 mg., then get a pain patch, LIDODERM PATCH, and put it on the shingles. It goes away fast with no pain from the sore or itching. I've had them for years and this is the only thing that works.
You do not always get herpes from sleeping around. One may contract it from being with ONE person who either were not honest about having it OR cheated and contracted it from another and then passed it on. Lets not get hasty and be stereotypical. The reason shingles and herpes IS the same is because of how the virus lives in the nerve system. It forms similar fluid filled blisters and symptoms are also the same. If it were not the same it wouldn't be treated with the same types of medications.
I have shingles on the outer side of my ear and on the inner canal of my ear.
I went to the doctors 4 times before being properly diagnosed, therefore was to late to recieve proper medication.
Is there any alternative treatments I can try as the full left side of my face is slightly numb and the left side of my body is sore.
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