Nenah, Even though many who have had chicken pox do not get shingles, that is not because of having had chicken pox. I think of Shingles as adult chicken pox, but those who get it, would not get it if they had not had chicken pox. It is the same virus. Absolutely the same, and it lives on in our bodies . . . the following excerpts from two articles explain much:
"Shingles is caused by reactivation of a previous infection with the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) that initially causes chickenpox; VZV lies dormant in the nerves and reactivates when immune defenses are weakened. Disseminated herpes zoster resembles chicken pox, with a rash, fever and possibly pneumonia; herpes zoster may also lead to ocular and neurological complications." "*Varicella zoster virus* (*VZV*) is one of eight herpes viruses<http://www.babylon.com/definition/Herpesviridae/English?uil=English&uris=%21%21ARV6FUJ2JP&tid=Definition> known to infect humans (and other vertebrates). It commonly causes chicken-pox<http://www.babylon.com/definition/chicken-pox/English?uil=English&uris=%21%21ARV6FUJ2JP&tid=Definition> in children and adults and Herpes zoster (shingles)<http://www.babylon.com/definition/Herpes%20zoster/English?uil=English&uris=%21%21ARV6FUJ2JP&tid=Definition> in adults ..." "Anyone who has had chickenpox may get shingles later in life. But there's a vaccine that may help prevent shingles or make it less painful if you do get it. The shingles vaccine<http://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/media/pdf/hw/form_vis23.pdf>is known as Zostavax <http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-144377-zostavax+subq.aspx>. Adults ages 50 and older can get one dose, whether or not they've had shingles<http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/shingles/default.htm>before. . . . If you have never had chickenpox, you may avoid getting the virus that causes both chickenpox and later shingles by receiving the varicella vaccine <http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/chickenpox-varicella-vaccine>. . . . If you have never had chickenpox and have never gotten the chickenpox vaccine, avoid contact with people who have shingles or chickenpox. Fluid from shingles blisters<http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/understanding-blisters-basics>is contagious and can cause chickenpox (but not shingles) in people who have never had chickenpox and who have never gotten the chickenpox vaccine." You may be able to zap shingles with vitamin B12 and you can take lysine to shorten the duration of the attack but if you have had chicken pox, that will NOT prevent you from getting shingles but it may cause you to get shingles. http://www.healthiertalk.com/prevent-shingles-vitamins-not-vaccine-3836 Shingles can occur in anyone who's had the chicken pox. They are both caused by the same virus, the varicella-zoster virus. Here's how it happens... When you get chickenpox, the itchy spots go away, but the virus never leaves your body. It lies dormant in your nerve roots. Then, years later, the virus suddenly wakes up and you get the painful shingles rash. Shingles can hit at any age. But you're more likely to get the rash if: - You're over 60 - You had chickenpox before age one - Your immune system is weakened by medications or disease - You are under extreme stress Usually, you first notice a burning pain around your mid-section. . . . Next, the tell-tale rash appears at the site of the pain. Then, the rash blisters and crusts form. The crusts usually fall off in two to three weeks. Most conventional docs try to treat shingles with anti-viral medications. But these may only shorten the virus by a day or two. Plus, you still have the pain to deal with. For that, you'll need some heavy-duty pain killers. Anti-inflammatory meds won't cut it. And neither will the vaccine. The good news is there's something else works even better. It significantly shortens the duration of the attack. Plus, it's all natural. *Vitamin therapy zaps shingles* Vitamin B12 is hands down the best way to get over shingles. I've seen nothing else work as well or as fast. It goes directly to the nerve root to attack the zoster virus. Ask your doctor for an intra-muscular shot that contains 1 mg of B-12. Get one shot each day for a week or until the symptoms completely disappear. But you can also take B12 to prevent to prevent shingles. Go for 500 mcg of sublingual B12 (under the tongue) each day. This will keep your nerve cells healthy and help prevent the zoster virus from ever "waking up." *One more safe option to try* You can also try lysine to shorten the duration of a shingles attack. Go for 3 grams (3,000 mg) of lysine daily until your symptoms disappear. It can also help lessen the pain and itching. You can find lysine at most grocery stores and vitamin shops. Just don't take lysine on a routine basis…It disrupts your body's lysine-arginine ratio. You see, lysine competes with arginine in the body. The more lysine you take, the less arginine available to your body. And that's not a good thing. Arginine is an amino acid that stimulates your growth hormone. It also plays an important role in cell division, wound healing, and immune function. Plus, in supplement form, high doses of lysine may raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of gallstones. The good news is you can treat and prevent shingles without resorting to a sketchy vaccine. Don't let your regular MD tell you otherwise!" Joyce -- ** *Check the Airedale quilt blog daily to keep up to date on incentives and the story of this year's quilt. *** http://airedalegardenparty.blogspot.com/ <http://www.airedalerescue.net/alphabet/a_is_for_airedale/patterns/> "If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours."~Henry David Thoreau <http://www.jubileepuppies.blogspot.com/>
