shingles problems

[leonardo20]

"I have had shingles for about 5 weeks, with very slow improvement. Last week my
wife had a Zostavax shot, which, I understand is live virus; to protect herself from
sinsgles,itself. During the last several days it seems my shingles have gotten worse. Is
it possible that the shot given to my wife might be contributing to this or is this just
a routine variation in the recovery from shingles? This is a very unpleasant disease and
any suggestions would be appreciated.
Leonardo20"

[gracefromHHP]

Shingles is a reactivation of the virus that causes chicken pox.  It's something you already have so your wife getting the vaccination to boost her own immunity against it reoccuring won't have any impact on your current shingles ob.

Did they treat you with antivirals at all? if so which one and how much?

I hope you are feeling better soon - I've hard shingles totally sucks :(  

grace

[auntiejessi]

Your wife wouldn't get shingles from you if she's had the chicken pox, and you're right - the vaccine is meant to prevent her chicken pox virus, which is dormant in her body, from reactivating as shingles.

Your symptoms might be getting worse because of the progression of the infection.  Have you been officially diagnosed with shingles?  Are you on meds?

While shingles is a form of herpes, this might better be addressed in the dermatology forum.

AJ