Could it be something other than shingles??

About 4 days ago I had a strong pain in my mid back that subsided-then a day later I had strong shoulder pain. The following day I had a small group of red bumps on top of a red patch of skin that was right in the middle part of my back where the original pain started. I do have a history of thoracic pain and shoulder tendonitis from an old injury of 10 years ago that flares up from time to time--I had a mild itchy sensation in that spot--but didn't even realize that I had a rash until my husband pointed it out to me. It is now four days since the onset of the rash--it hasn't gotten worse or smaller-and hasn't spread like the usual band-like appearance of shingles. I have no symptoms of flu, fever, malaise-or anything except for strong pain in my mid back and left shoulder. I did have the chicken pox at 17 that was very severe and only occurred in my upper body- I also have has an annoying rash on the ring finger of my right hand that is quite itchy at times and has been present for several months--my MD initially thought it was just some kind of hormonal reaction because I has just given birth--he prescribed a steroid cream and that has done nothing

I was wondering if there are other skin rashes/problems that look like shingles but aren't. I am also very concerned because I have a 10 month old who has not been exposed to chicken pox--My lesions are on my back now and are covered with clothing. Until now--whatever was present on my finger has been around for months and hasn't seemed to cause chicken pox with my son--can my son get the chicken pox just because I have the shingles--or does he need to come in contact with the blisters to become infected??

[Dr_Aparna]

Hi,
Usually once you get an outbreak of herpes you do not get it again, there are circumstances under which they do occur but not too often.
Most people are infected with this virus as children, and suffer from an episode of chickenpox. The immune system eventually eliminates the virus from most locations, but it remains dormant.However, repeated attacks of herpes zoster are rare.Unless the immune system is compromised, it suppresses reactivation of the virus and prevents herpes zoster.
Chickenpox is most contagious a couple of days before the rash appears and until scabs have formed on all the lesions i.e. till they dry up, which usually occurs in a weeks time after the onset of the rash.
The virus commonly spreads from person-to-person by air-borne droplets. This occurs when an infected person coughs or sneezes and releases secretions in the surrounding air. It can also spread by direct contact with chickenpox or herpes, since the wet lesions contain infectious fluid.
Chickenpox is now preventable through vaccination. Consult your doctor about when the child can be immunized.
The rash in your case maybe allergic/contact dermatitis.A mild Corticosteroid will help, also you can take aoral anti-histamines for the itching.
ref: http://health.indiamart.com/kidshealth/illness/index.html
ref:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shingles