RE: How Is Shingles Spread?
After researching all that I could find online, and reading the sometimes contradictory responses on this forum, I'm feeling that there's a lot of misinformation on this. One person says you can only get shingles if you first had chickenpox and another says they got it when they never had chickenpox. One person says you can't catch shingles, another says you can. I'm going to continue researching.
Editor's Note: Here's a good link that explains it:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/shingles/DS00098
Posted on 09/01/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: How Is Shingles Spread?
You must have chicken pox prior to having shingles. They are not contagious, however you can give someone chicken pox from your shingles if they have never had chicken pox. Shingles is a miserable illness! Mine started on my right tonsil and moved from there to the roof of my mouth, to my lip, to my nose, and on its way up my cheek toward my ear. The worst pain I have ever had. All this in the space of about 1-1/2 days. The doctor prescribed a medicine also used to treat herpes simplex since they are in the same family; in 24 hours I started to see the damage reverse, by week's end all but residual scarring was gone. If you suspect shingles see a doctor immediately, because otherwise you can suffer nerve pain indefinitely after the illness has cleared, or even vision or hearing damage depending on which nerve ending cluster the disease has followed. Chicken pox is bad, but its sister shingles is definitely worse! By the way, chicken pox itch terribly, and shingles just HURT!
Posted on 08/30/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: How Is Shingles Spread?
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By cynthia7502 AT msn.com (Guest Post)
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Lithium is a preventative for shingles. It helps to keep the virus in check, and boosts the immune system. You can buy low dose lithium over the counter at health food stores, or online. Search for lithium aspartate, or lithium orotate. The amount of elemental lithium in each tablet or capsule is about 5 mgs. Probably 2 a day would help, and would not be excessive or require blood tests to monitor blood levels or kidney function. It is good for your brain too.
Posted on 08/29/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: How Is Shingles Spread?
It is possible to have such a mild case of chicken pox that one doesn't know they have had them. It is also possible to have chicken pox more than once. I did not believe that until my sons had them - twice. The second time was far more severe.
Also, the shingles blisters look like chicken pox.
There is a vaccine for chicken pox. I would advise anyone with children to get this for them. Chicken pox is not a "harmless childhood disease".
And just to recap -- from the site above -- you don't catch shingles. You already have the virus inside your body, and it can be activated by stress, etc. Nothing to fool around with. My aunt had shingles on the inside of her spine, and eventually this left her partially paralyzed so that she was in a wheelchair.
Posted on 08/29/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: How Is Shingles Spread?
One more thing about Shingles. The younger you are when you first have it, the less painful this form will be. In other words, if you first get them when you are 70 or so, this outbreak will be much more painful that if you first have them when you are 40. It seems to be protective somehow.
Posted on 08/28/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: How Is Shingles Spread?
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By Georgetta Ruth (Guest Post)
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I had shingles when I was I was in 7th grade and again when I was a freshman in high school. I am now 49 years old. I have never had chicken pox and my mother was told that was the reason for my sufferring with shingles. I stayed in so much pain, I had to be tutored at home. It took several doctors, months and some painful procedures, for them to find out what was wrong with me. As for the rash, It usually went away after a couple of days and that is when the pain would start. MY areas were on my back, around my ribcage.
Posted on 08/28/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: How Is Shingles Spread?
I don't know how I got them,but they were the most painful thing I have ever had. ( Even childbirth as it didn't last as long) The first time I had a small rash on my back just under the shoulder blade( Eight weeks ) . The second time ,there was no rash anywhere to be seen...Found out after EIGHT Months, they were on the inside.If I hadn't had a great Pharmacist who told my husband to get me a new DR. And he sent me to get 4 shots( in my back) ,one a month to get rid of them. That 8 months was a nightmare.
At times rolling on the floor in pain. Many times to the ER for pain shots that didn't help much. There is a vacine now available...People are advised to get it....I'm still waiting. I pity the ones who are suffering from this horrible virus.Check with your Dr. The shots vary in price. $160 to $204 that I know of. But believe me it is worth it!! GG Vi
Posted on 08/27/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: How Is Shingles Spread?
As a person who had shingles last year, I can tell you that they are not contagious. One MUST previously have had chicken pox. The herpes zoster virus (chicken pox) lies dormant in your system, usually forever, but if it surfaces, one will get shingles. My doctor said that the older one gets, the more likely for them to surface, that there are many causes for this, stress being a prime factor. Older people are prone to stress because of illness, finances, deaths, etc. There is now a vaccine out there, but usually only given to those over 60, and many insurances do not yet cover it. The out-of-pocket cost is around $200.00. Like other vaccines, it does not guarantee you will not get shingles, but the likelihood is much, much less. I did not have severe pain, but many people suffer terribly.
Posted on 08/27/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: How Is Shingles Spread?
Hi, I had shingles twice. What pain! I worked at a day school and if you carry the chicken pox virus you are susceptible to them. So I was around small kids, the doctor said I carried the pox virus even though I had the chicken pox very young. They lay dormant so now I have the after pain which is the nerve endings in the spine. So every now and then I have to have the virus medication. Hope you are ok, I sincerely know the pain is horrible and the blisters take forever to heal. Oatmeal baths work great too.
Posted on 08/27/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: How Is Shingles Spread?
Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. If you ever had chicken pox, you may get shingles or may not.
Posted on 08/27/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: How Is Shingles Spread?
My mother just had shingles. Her doctor said that you get it from touching the open sores. She had to keep away from anyone who had not had chickenpox yet.
Posted on 08/27/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: How Is Shingles Spread?
It's part of the herpes virus. It can be gotten thru contact with the person/carrier. Being around children with chicken pox, or elderly with a case can give it to whoever may be suseptible to getting them.
Posted on 08/27/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: How Is Shingles Spread?
Checkthis link
http://www.bchealthguide.org/kbase/topic/major/hw75433/descrip.htm
It is very simple to read, and really explains things well.
Posted on 08/27/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
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