Chicken Pox

I have not have chicken pox when i was a kid, i had been to the doctor couple of days ago, the doc said i might be affected with chicken pox and prescribed VALTREX 1GM, 3 times a day for 7 days, the blisters are healing and have reduced a lot. I am 27 yrs old, will this be shingles or herpes. I am worried. Also i am married and would like to start a family by end of this year, will valtrex cause any problem. Pls help.

[lovefamily]

Normally you cannot get shingles unless you have had chicken pox.  Shingles effect one side of your body.  The chicken pox virus lays dormant in your spine once you have had them.  If under a lot of stress, not getting enough rest and such, it can cause an outbreak of shingles.  The virus goes from the spine effecting the nerve endings on one side of the body.  Chicken Pox & shingles are a herpes type virus.  I would check with the doctor to see how long the medication should be out of your system before trying to conceive.  I just had a close family member with an outbreak of shingles.  They are very painful.  Chicken pox will be very itchy.  Hope they clear up for you soon.

[klfc27]

I had shingles at 17, had the chicken pox at 3.

Shingles are beyond painful. Mine were not on one side of my body, if only I was so lucky.  Mine was all around my hips, so I could not sit, stand, lay down, walk, or anything without being in pain. I received a prescrib for antibiotics, a cream, and very very good pain killers.  I was on the pain killers for almost 2 weeks.

So if you are not in pain, I would say chicken pox and not sure about the meds. Its better to get them now then while you are pregnant.