# Damn you to hell, Varicella Zoster! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 19, 2017, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-to-hell-varicella-zoster/796708 "2017-09-19T08:28:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-to-hell-varicella-zoster/796708/1 "2017-09-19T08:28:15Z")
I got the shingles vaccine a couple of months ago, so of course now I have shingles because that’s just how my life goes. I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow, so I don’t have an official diagnoses, but it’s shingles. So far it isn’t bad so hopefully the vaccination took and my immune system is keeping it somewhat in check. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-to-hell-varicella-zoster/796708/2 "2017-09-19T09:28:00Z")
So sorry. I hope you’re able to keep it from getting too serious. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-to-hell-varicella-zoster/796708/3 "2017-09-19T14:17:47Z")
Never heard of the virus, so I thought you were addressing an ex. Regardless - shitty. So is it a resurgence of smallpox from earlier in our life? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-to-hell-varicella-zoster/796708/4 "2017-09-19T14:22:51Z")
I had shingles…it is horrible…It’s 5 yrs…still have after effects…post- herpatic neuralgia…curses is right!!! ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-to-hell-varicella-zoster/796708/5 "2017-09-19T14:33:14Z")
Smallpox? I’m not that old. Actually I am old enough to have gotten the smallpox vaccine, but smallpox was gone from the US by the time I was born. Or at least it was very rare here, I’m not sure. Shingles is a resurgence of chicken pox. Before there was a vaccine just about everyone got it as a child (along with mumps, measles, and rubella). Once you’ve had it it’s never entirely eradicated but hides out in nerves. Then, for some reason, in adulthood it can start replicating again and can cause temporary or permanent nerve problems. The shingles vaccine is an extra strong dose of the chicken pox vaccine that they give to children. Unfortunately it’s not a guarantee against it, but it reduces the chances and also makes it likely that if you do get it it will be less severe. It doesn’t seem any worse this morning and the existing spots seem to be getting better, so I’m hopeful. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-to-hell-varicella-zoster/796708/6 "2017-09-19T15:12:08Z")
Keep the doctor appointment - there are anti-viral medications that can keep it from getting worse as well as reduce your chances of suffering long-term pain problems. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-to-hell-varicella-zoster/796708/7 "2017-09-19T15:14:46Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Keep the doctor appointment - there are anti-viral medications that can keep it from getting worse as well as reduce your chances of suffering long-term pain problems. Exactly. My appointment is at 1:45 this afternoon. Believe me, I am quite motivated to keep it. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-to-hell-varicella-zoster/796708/8 "2017-09-19T16:25:18Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Exactly. My appointment is at 1:45 this afternoon. Believe me, I am quite motivated to keep it. You bet! Get on meds ASAP (assuming you’re still within the suitable timeframe, generally less than 72 hours after onset). Antivirals can really reduce outbreak severity and duration. And systemic steroids may help reduce symptoms, though recent data analysis is less clear on that. But don’t wait to take the meds once they’re in your hands. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-to-hell-varicella-zoster/796708/9 "2017-09-19T17:37:00Z")
The onset was Saturday. I thought it was an allergic thing and took Benadryl. It eventually became obvious that that wasn’t the case and I called yesterday but they couldn’t fit me in till today. So it may be to late for meds. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-to-hell-varicella-zoster/796708/10 "2017-09-19T17:37:19Z")
Ugh! I’m sorry to hear this, feel better! ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-to-hell-varicella-zoster/796708/11 "2017-09-19T17:45:34Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > The onset was Saturday. I thought it was an allergic thing and took Benadryl. It eventually became obvious that that wasn’t the case and I called yesterday but they couldn’t fit me in till today. So it may be to late for meds. You say today, so I think it may be okay. I mean, it’s still 3 days, right? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-to-hell-varicella-zoster/796708/12 "2017-09-19T17:49:11Z")
Let the MD make that decision. Heck, even if the vaccine didn’t work as hoped it still might have lessened the severity of the outbreak. Good luck, speedy recovery, no complications. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-to-hell-varicella-zoster/796708/13 "2017-09-19T17:50:16Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > You say today, so I think it may be okay. I mean, it’s still 3 days, right? Beginning treatment within 72 hours of the first symptoms appearing is best. Though within 72 hours of the last vesicle forming can still be helpful. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-to-hell-varicella-zoster/796708/14 "2017-09-19T18:25:02Z")
Well don’t I feel stupid. I shouldn’t play amateur diagnostician. It is not shingles. It may be a contact dermatitis, herpes that I spread by scratching, an autoimmune thing, or some other unknown. He gave me a prescription for a topical steroid and wants to see me in a week. If that doesn’t work then I’ll see a dermatologist. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-to-hell-varicella-zoster/796708/15 "2017-09-19T20:00:49Z")
Good, I guess? Hopefully better than feared, anyway. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-to-hell-varicella-zoster/796708/16 "2017-09-19T20:34:46Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Well don’t I feel stupid. I shouldn’t play amateur diagnostician. > > It is not shingles. It may be a contact dermatitis, herpes that I spread by scratching, an autoimmune thing, or some other unknown. He gave me a prescription for a topical steroid and wants to see me in a week. If that doesn’t work then I’ll see a dermatologist. No reason to feel stupid, and rest assured you aren’t the first person to play amateur diagnostician. Look at the good news, now you have a professional diagnosis so it was smart you didn’t skip the appointment. I hope you’re feeling better soon! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-to-hell-varicella-zoster/796708/17 "2017-09-19T20:46:20Z")
Yay!! ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2017, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-to-hell-varicella-zoster/796708/18 "2017-09-20T03:58:14Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Well don’t I feel stupid. I shouldn’t play amateur diagnostician. > > It is not shingles. It may be a contact dermatitis, herpes that I spread by scratching, an autoimmune thing, or some other unknown, All of which should be treated. You thought it was shingles and went to a doc. So it wasn’t shingles, you still did the right thing by going to the doc. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2017, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-to-hell-varicella-zoster/796708/19 "2017-09-20T04:46:22Z")
And I still have nasty, painful, and unexplained sores. He didn’t seem overly concerned so I suppose I needn’t be. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2017, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-to-hell-varicella-zoster/796708/20 "2017-09-20T07:15:43Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > It is not shingles. It may be a contact dermatitis, **herpes** that I spread by scratching, an autoimmune thing, or some other unknown. He gave me a prescription for a topical steroid and wants to see me in a week. If that doesn’t work then I’ll see a dermatologist. Shingles _is_ a variety of herpes, by the way. All the “pox” diseases are. (ETA: Wasn’t Varicella the villainous dame in 101 Dalmations?) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-to-hell-varicella-zoster/796708.md?page=2)