Can my 7 year old have Shingles?

Question

She has never had chickenpox but got vacsonated for them when she was 5. She has a rash on her sides and up the sides of her back that she says hurts. There are no other rashes on her body. The nurse on call said her and the doctor think that shingles is the only thing they think it could be, and want me to bring her in tomarow. I just want to know if it is even possible for her to have shingles when the only exposure to the virus was a vaccine?

Answer 1

My daughter had chicken pox at a young age......mild case. She had shingles while in high school. So you do not have to be over 50 to get it.

Now won't it be a bite if they find 5 years from now that being vaccinated against chicken pox increases the chances of having shingles at an early age!

That's the way these drug companies work. Throw it out there and if a negative trend develops, just say whoops!

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

Even though someone is vaccinated for certain things, such as chicken pox or measles, does not mean that they will never get them. The breakout may not be as severe; but, it is possible to contract these or other viruses anyway. Shingles are usually contracted later in life, long after you have chicken pox and the virus sits dormant for years in the body. If she has shingles, that means that she was exposed to the Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) earlier in life. Someone that has never had chicken pox cannot contract shingles, however. Shingles are very painful and chicken pox is usually more itchy. It is possible for someone to be exposed to chicken pox even before they are born and develop shingles as an infant or young child, although this would be rare. Be sure to follow up with the doctor and monitor the progression of the rash. Those rashes do not just occur on the exterior, but the interior as well. Internal rashes can be quite severe and in rare cases can be a source of internal bleeding. Why some people purposely expose their children to the chicken pox to get it over with is beyond me. It is not as innocent an infection as most people consider it to be. It would be wise to keep other children away from your daughter while she is recovering and be sure to ask about how to keep from spreading this within your own household. I hope that your daughter feels better quickly!

Answer 5

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Answer 6

Shingles can occur in anyone who has had chickenpox. While it can occur at any age, it is more common in people over the age of 50.

Shingles (herpes zoster) is an outbreak of rash or blisters on the skin that is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox — the varicella-zoster virus. The first sign of shingles is often burning or tingling pain, or sometimes numbness or itch, in one particular location on only one side of the body. After several days or a week, a rash of fluid-filled blisters, similar to chickenpox, appears in one area on one side of the body. Shingles pain can be mild or intense. Some people have mostly itching; some feel pain from the gentlest touch or breeze. The most common location for shingles is a band, called a dermatome, spanning one side of the trunk around the waistline. Anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk for shingles. Scientists think that in the original battle with the varicella-zoster virus, some of the virus particles leave the skin blisters and move into the nervous system. When the varicella-zoster virus reactivates, the virus moves back down the long nerve fibers that extend from the sensory cell bodies to the skin. The viruses multiply, the tell-tale rash erupts, and the person now has shingles

In most people, shingles goes away on its own after it has run its course, and requires no treatment. However, your doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs to shorten the length of the infection, especially if you have a weakened immune system. Antiviral drugs are also used to prevent post-herpetic neuralgia, especially in people older than 50. Most people will find pain relief with acetaminophen or other over-the-counter pain medicines, as well as cool compresses on the affected area. More severe pain may be relieved by prescription pain medications. It's important to keep your skin clean so you don't develop any other types of infections in the blistered area. Your doctor might also prescribe some type of antibacterial ointment to help prevent infection. Severe infections, such as those involving the eyes, may be treated with corticosteroids drugs as well as antiviral therapy. Post-herpetic neuralgia is treated with tranquilizers, sedatives, or antidepressants that are taken at night. During an outbreak of shingles, as with any illness, it's important to get plenty of rest, follow a health diet, and reduce stress levels. Some people believe it's beneficial to boost the immune system with additional supplements of vitamins B12 and B complex, and C, as well as calcium. It's important to follow your doctor's recommendations for safe levels of vitamin supplements.

hope this helped. but bottom line if your child has never had chickenpox they don not have shingles....

Answer 7

You can't be sure that she wasn't exposed somewhere beyond your knowledge. It could easily be shingles so follow the recommendations for shingles treatment. My son got that when he was about 5. Until then I never heard of it.

Answer 8

It's unfortunate but it is possible. Shingles is highly contagious. Take her immediately to the doctor. If it turns out that it's Singles find out if anyone at a daycare, school, relative or friends or your daughters playmates have it. Good Luck!

Answer 9

According to this website:http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/who_gets_chickenpox_shingles_000082_3.htm

"Although most common in adults, shingles can also develop children. One study reported that only 5% of cases occur in those under age 15. Children with immune deficiencies are at highest risk. In children with no immune problems, those who have chicken pox before they were one year old are at higher risk for shingles. It is still uncommon, however."

Answer 10

I had always thought that most people who had shingles were over 50. The site below proves me wrong.
It's a story with pictures of a child with shingles.
http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/hardin/md/dermatlas/shingles.html