Shingles/Chicken pox

[Erin07]

I have already had the chicken pox virus twice growing up. Can I get Shingles?

[Buenchico]

The virus will still be dormant in your nervous system and you may well get shingles:
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.a spx?articleId=335#

Chris

[NiceCupOfTea]

My mum's best mate got shingles when she was 59, despite having had chicken pox herself and living through her four kids' attacks of chicken pox during her 20s. So I'd definitely say "yup".

[rcl1]

I had the chicken pox twice as a child and had the shingles when i was 11. So much for it being an adult illnes.

[pinkbunny]

I was reading an article earlier in the week about shingles and it said that you can only get shingles if you have had chicken pox in your lifetime already! Dont take my word for it just what I read!

[Ice.Maiden]

You could, Erin, yes. It can be very unpleasant, and take a while to go, but on the other hand, some folk have quite mild symptoms. x

[burbie]

You cannot get shingles unless you have previously had chickenpox. The virus stays dormant in your nerve endings, and can erupt in the form of shingles. Especially if you are run down and your immune system is low, but just because you have had chickenpox doesnt mean you will come out in shingles.

[terambulan]

Having had chicken pox I caught shingles while working in a school...........then again, and again........gave up school-work and no more shingles!