Chicken pox in adults

[Sixwheelerman]

I'm a 62 yr old male.  10 days ago small reddish lesions with vesicles began appearing on my chest.  Much itching.  No fever, no sickness, no other symptoms.  The same type lesions continued to develop in groups (mostly), with vesicles differing in size, up the left side of my trunk, up the axila area of my arm and a few lesions on the inside of my left bicep.  Then to the back. First the left side, then right side and up my right arm.  I'm guessing that I have over 100 lesions in various stages of development.  The first lesions of 10 days ago have subsided, no longer itch.. The doctor says he thinks it's Chicken Pox... but he's stymied by the fact that I haven't been sick at all.. nothing.  He sent me for blood tests. My mother seems to remember that I had Chicken Pox ... mildly.

My questions: 1. Are there adult cases of Chicken Pox in which the individual does NOT get sick in the traditional way?  2. My lesions are somewhat bigger than I've read about... many of them are almost 50 cent size (not dime size as I've read). How unusual is that? 3. Some of the lesions have vesicles that appear fairly large and clear... others seem to have a pus/yellow look. Is that normal for Chicken Pox? 4. If I had a mild case during childhood, is it possible to have a second case as an adult?  Would that account for the fact that although I have a lot of rash, lots of vesicles and lots of itch, I have NO fever, no sickness?  

Thanks

[Still_AndiJ]

It sounds like shingles, related to the herpes/chickpox family. It is actually an auto-immune disease that pops up in people who have had chicken pox in the past. It can be contagious through contact, if you happen to know any pregnant women, stay away as it can be harmful and even fatal to their unborn children if they themselves have never had chickenpox.
There is nothing to do to get rid of shingles, it sticks with you forever once it pops up. Get a second opinion from another doctor. But based on what you have described, I would be willing to bet with 99% certainty you have shingles.


Andrea