chickenpox

[mars06]

if you've had shigles but not chickenpox can you catch chickenpox later or can it manifest as shingles again?

[paulsmummy]

firstly if you've never had chicken pox u cant have shingles.. its a chicken pox re infestation.. i've had shingles in my eye,it started on the side of my forehead and affected my eye, .... and there's always a risk of it coming back because the virus lays dormant waiting for your immune system to get poor then it'll probably come back....... but you definitely cant have shingles with out having had chicken pox... one cant happen without the other, and most who say they haven't had chicken pox probably have just very mild or just cant remember...

[paulsmummy]

oh and most adults wont catch chicken pox it's a childhood ailment

[mars06]

thanx for your reply but i have definately not had chickenpox but had shingles at age 10-all confirmed by my gp. i am aware that most viruses can lie dormant in the nervous system and that shingles is usually secondary to chickenpox. what i was thinking was, whats to stop shingles reccurring again?

[paulsmummy]

you cant........ its a immune system illness..... keep healthy and it'l probably keep at bay

http://www.herpes.org.uk/shingles/

check this out

[honky-tonk]

same here mars06.....i did not have chickenpox as a child but had shingles at the age of 15.

[MrXLA]

paulsmummy is correct, you 2 just can't remember having chickenpox and/or are confused about medical terminology
Varicella zoster virus re-activation causes shingles and is also associated with Ramsay-Hunt syndrome

[mars06]

i'm a biomedical scientist so the terminology is fine. i have double checked with my gp and parents and have definately not had chickenpox. i understand how the virus works regarding shingles usually being a secondary disorder and varicellas (or most viruses) predilection for hiding in your nervous system etc. my gp said it was a possibility i may get shingles again. this was why i posted the question! :o)

[paulsmummy]

thing is some people have just one or two spots and its overlooked as parents expect zillions........ all over...... your gp wouldnt then know........and your parents wouldnt have assumed it as chicken pox........seriously u cant have shingles without having the herpes virus in your system to reactivate as shingles...... is so easy to over look a mild case that may have looked like a gnat bite....!

[paulsmummy]

and once youve had shingles..you can get it again and again and again...... for life...

i had it ten years or so ago.....nothing since touch wood...... i was very run down back then..didnt look after myself too well.... different story now tho... so dont expect it anytime soon hopefully.......... i looked like id been punched by a professional boxer...lol

[mars06]

thanx for all your answers. you have been very helpful xx

[MrXLA]

As far as I know and please correct me if I'm wrong as a biomedical scientist unless dual qualified you don't possess any qualification resembling or related to medicine or healthcare provision.
Shingles IS a RE-ACTIVATION of VZV its possible though unlikley that you aquired VZV sub-clinically but if you have SHINGLES then you have VZV and you acquired it PRIOR to its RE-ACTIVATION

[MrXLA]

and yes unfortunately you may get shingles again
But if you know better why post on here

[paulsmummy]

wow

[paulsmummy]

mrxla........ are u a doctor or somat i have to say....... wow.... im impressed......lol

[MrXLA]

If managed early (in the prodrome period) then shingles can be less harmful than otherwise. So prompt attendance at your GP is wise should this unfortuante situation arise for you again.

[paulsmummy]

it was serious for me,,, being next to my eye just above my eyebrow... there was concern for my eyesight, eventually when i managed to get my eye open, i was tested and glad to say all was well...... shingles can be nasty, and the pain i felt on my nerve endings took about 8 months to subside..........i still feel twinges now.... ten year on