Diagnosed with Shingles

My doctor diagnosed my blistery rash on the side of my abdomen as shingles.  I have done a little reading and have some education.  What could have caused this?  I am 36 and did have chicken pox as a child.  On January 3, 2005 I had an MMR immunization.  I had to get the MMR for school.  Did the MMR "wake" up the Shingles?  Also, I was on a heavy dose of steroids in 2003 after an asthma attack.

Thanks for any feedback.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Most shingles (zoster) comes for no reason in people who have no immune or other health problems.  There is no need for you to be concerned or to have any tests done.  You only get zoster once in a particular nerve area (like the strip on one side of abdomen where you have yours.)   When young people like you get shingles, it rarely causes long-term pain or other problems of any kind.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[jfa1968]

Thank you.  It is alot better and looks like it is on it's way out.  I was worried about another patch sprouting up closer to my belly button but it didn't get any worse.  The pain was bad a couple of nights but it is all but gone as well.