chemo lowers the immune system. shingles comes from the chicken pox virus which lays dormant until your immune system is compromised. I was just diagnosed with shingles (after a two year battle with outbreaks). my doctor prescribled valtrex. i'm so frustrated because in nov 06 they biopsied - and called it intraepidermal spongiotic/vesicular dermatitis with eosinophils.
when the immune system is compromized shingles can pop up easily, we carry the chickenpox virus in our systems, the white throat might be Thrush, comman side affect of chemo, there is a good pill for that, takes care of it quickly. There are shots also for shingles but when on chemo you better ask if she can have it.