Shingles without chickenpox?

April 24, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 59-year-old female. I was told that I had never had chickenpox; however, I came down with shingles. I have been on prednisone and famciclovir for a week. The spot (about the size of a quarter) is drying up. How long can I expect pain? Should I be immunized again shingles? Can I get shingles without ever having had chickenpox? Some days I can tolerate the pain but at other times it’s very uncomfortable.

DEAR READER: Whomever told you that you never had chickenpox was incorrect. However, it is possible that you had a very mild case with few lesions that may have gone unnoticed. I can say this with certainty because shingles cannot occur without the varicella-zoster (also known has the herpes zoster) virus which can only be present after having had chickenpox. So to simplify, if you never had chickenpox, you could not be suffering from shingles now. [Read more…]

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Shingles vaccine not right for everyone

March 5, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: There seems to be some confusion about whether or not an older person should take the shingles shot. My husband is over 70 and has been advised that, because he can’t remember having chickenpox (even though he might have been exposed to it), he does not need to take it. In fact, if he takes it, it might even prove harmful.

He has been further advised that there is a simple test his doctor should administer before giving him the shingles shot if he (my husband) is unsure as to whether he ever had chickenpox or not. Please advise. Thank you.
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Uncommon form of shingles needs time

February 16, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I’ve been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome. I’ve been treated with prednisone and antiviral drugs. I ask every doctor I’ve seen, “What can I do to be proactive?” The answer is always, “Nothing, only time.” I understand that, but what can I do to hasten healing? Massage, physical therapy, acupuncture, anything? Each doctor says I can do whatever I want but nothing is going to help. Isn’t there anything I can do?

DEAR READER: Ramsay Hunt syndrome occurs when the facial nerve to one of the ears becomes infected by the shingles/chickenpox virus.
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Shingles vaccine is prevention, not treatment

March 17, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: What is the treatment for shingles? I have had them for three months now. How long do I have to wait after an episode before I can get the vaccine?

DEAR READER: Shingles is a viral infection. It is actually a second infection caused by the chickenpox virus. Symptoms typically begin with pain, numbness or tingling on one side of the body. It most commonly occurs on one side of the chest, wrapping around to the back. The next most common area is the face, but it can present anywhere on the body, including the eyes, which can cause permanent damage if left untreated.
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