Recurrent Shingles

[Louloubell]

I am a young healthy (34yo) female.  I had my first outbreak of shingles when I was 20 years old and would break out about once a year around the same time and in the same general area.  From 2005 to this past December 2007 I was outbreak free, but had the rash and symptoms reoccur in the same area only with more generalized pain in my right thigh versus the normal localized pain on my right hip.  Since that outbreak I have had 2 more outbreaks of shingles the most recent starting today.  I did notice that with Valtrex the last time my symptoms resolved much more quickly.  I'm wondering why I am having such frequent outbreaks and has anyone else encountered this?

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi

I do understand how discomforting this can be. Shingles may recur or may be reactivated. The herpes zoster virus simply resides within the body. They are contained by the body's immune system. At one point, they may reactivate and present as the rash that we commonly see.

"Shingles is a skin rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. The virus responsible for these conditions is called the Varicella zoster virus (VZV). After an individual has chickenpox, this virus lives in the nervous system and is never fully cleared from the body. Under certain circumstances, such as emotional stress, immune deficiency (from AIDS or chemotherapy), or with cancer, the virus reactivates causing shingles. In most cases, however, a cause for the reactivation of the virus is never found."

Source:http://www.medicinenet.com/shingles/article.htm

The rash of shingles usually recurs in the same area because of the dermatomal or skin pattern the nerve follows. I would suggest that you have this assessed by an infectious disease specialist. This is contagious and it is important to observe frequent hand washing and to keep the affected areas covered. It is necessary that you take antiviral medications during the first 2-3 days of rash manifestation.