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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Itchy Spots On The Back, Aches. Chicken Pox? Had Shingles In The Past

I am 65 years old, and have been in contact with children with chicken pox I usually contract shingles after these contacts as I have a low immune system, but this time I am feling itchy, achy, lethargic and generally unwell, I have just a few spots on my back at the moment could this be chicken pox? If so how long willl. It last I was in contact with children last Tuesday and have felt like this since this Tuesday,
Fri, 21 Jun 2013
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
hi,
Shingles occurs when the virus that causes chickenpox starts up again in your body. After you get better from chickenpox, the virus "sleeps" (is dormant) in your nerve roots. In some people, it stays dormant forever. In others, the virus "wakes up" when disease, stress, or aging weakens the immune system. Some medicines may trigger the virus to wake up and cause a shingles rash. It is not clear why this happens. But after the virus becomes active again, it can only cause shingles, not chickenpox.You can't catch shingles from someone else who has shingles. But there is a small chance that a person with a shingles rash can spread the virus to another person who hasn't had chickenpox and who hasn't gotten the chickenpox vaccine.Shingles is treated with medicines. These medicines include antiviral medicines and medicines for pain.Starting antiviral medicine right away can help your rash heal faster and be less painful. So if you think you may have shingles, see your doctor right away.Good home care also can help you feel better faster. Take care of any skin sores, and keep them clean. Take your medicines as directed. If you are bothered by pain, tell your doctor. He or she may write a prescription for pain medicine or suggest an over-the-counter pain medicine.Anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles. You have a greater chance of getting shingles if you are older than 50 or if you have a weak immune system.There is a shingles vaccine for people who are 50 years and older. This lowers your chances of getting shingles and prevents long-term pain that can occur after shingles. And if you do get shingles, having the vaccine makes it more likely that you will have less pain and your rash will clear up more quickly.thankyou
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Itchy Spots On The Back, Aches. Chicken Pox? Had Shingles In The Past

hi, Shingles occurs when the virus that causes chickenpox starts up again in your body. After you get better from chickenpox, the virus sleeps (is dormant) in your nerve roots. In some people, it stays dormant forever. In others, the virus wakes up when disease, stress, or aging weakens the immune system. Some medicines may trigger the virus to wake up and cause a shingles rash. It is not clear why this happens. But after the virus becomes active again, it can only cause shingles, not chickenpox.You can t catch shingles from someone else who has shingles. But there is a small chance that a person with a shingles rash can spread the virus to another person who hasn t had chickenpox and who hasn t gotten the chickenpox vaccine.Shingles is treated with medicines. These medicines include antiviral medicines and medicines for pain.Starting antiviral medicine right away can help your rash heal faster and be less painful. So if you think you may have shingles, see your doctor right away.Good home care also can help you feel better faster. Take care of any skin sores, and keep them clean. Take your medicines as directed. If you are bothered by pain, tell your doctor. He or she may write a prescription for pain medicine or suggest an over-the-counter pain medicine.Anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles. You have a greater chance of getting shingles if you are older than 50 or if you have a weak immune system.There is a shingles vaccine for people who are 50 years and older. This lowers your chances of getting shingles and prevents long-term pain that can occur after shingles. And if you do get shingles, having the vaccine makes it more likely that you will have less pain and your rash will clear up more quickly.thankyou