chicken pox vaccine / shingles - related?

DS got the chicken pox vaccine 4 weeks ago. About 5 days ago, DH started complaining that his sides were really bothering him. At first, I thought muscle strain but he said it was a burning, not muscle pain.

He went to 1 doc last week and they said likely a muscle strain (on both sides?)

He went again to another doctor yesterday and they are treating him for shingles though he doesnt have a rash (yet)...

1 - could the live vaccine that DS got 4 weeks ago have caused this somehow?

2 - is this dangerous for DS (who is almost 16 months) since the vaccine was only 4 weeks ago? Could he get chicken pox?

3 - is this all a huge coincidence?

I called the Ped, awaiting a call back.

Re: chicken pox vaccine / shingles - related?

I don't doubt it. I have shingles twice and both times I was exposed to chicken pox before. The doctors tell me it doesn't work that way. That I can give someone chicken pox if I have shingles but, they can't give me shingles from chicken pox.


I don't care what they say though. BOTH times I got shingles I was exposed to chicken pox. I don't think that is just random chance.

I think you do have to worry about your unvaccinated child being around your DH though.

Re: chicken pox vaccine / shingles - related?

Posted by sfp0701

I think you do have to worry about your unvaccinated child being around your DH though.

Re: chicken pox vaccine / shingles - related?

Does your DH change your DCs diapers? I believe the virus is excreted in the stool.
However, your DH doesn't have a rash? I believe that usually should appear, no? I have had shingles and the rash was awful and painful.

I hope he feels better soon.

Re: chicken pox vaccine / shingles - related?

Posted by maymama

Posted by sfp0701

I think you do have to worry about your unvaccinated child being around your DH though.

he was vaccinated - 4 weeks ago. i wonder if thats why this happened? DS did have a reaction days 10-13 thought that could have been from MMR also?

Re: chicken pox vaccine / shingles - related?

Also, the rash for shingles varies. When I had it, I had 3 or 4 bumps. On my back in a line around my waist but, never crossing the spine. Some people have crazy rashes some don't. I know I work in a school and I wasn't allowed to work until the bumps crusted over because I could give chicken pox to people from my shingles.

Re: chicken pox vaccine / shingles - related?

I would think your DS has at least some immunity so if he does get the chicken pox, it would be a more mild case.

A girl in DD's class just got them last month, she was 2 and was vaccinated at 1. It was a very mild case - you can't even tell.

DS had them at 11 months. He looked horrible but, he handled them very well. He only itched the ones on his head and was crabby for the most part. The cold he got after was much worse.

Re: chicken pox vaccine / shingles - related?

Shingles only stays on one side and doesn't cross the middle. It follows a nerve. That is strange that it is both his sides. I have had shingles twice and it is awful but the rash never crossed to the other side of my body. Once it was a huge rash and another time it was a few bumps. Shingles is caused because the virus in his body is no longer dormant. This is usually caused by stress or in my case I take immuosuppresant drugs.


I don't know if the vaccine your DS had would be effective yet. I'd call your ped. My DD never got chicken pox because she was vaccinated so I didn't have to worry about infecting her.

Message edited 8/31/2011 7:44:00 PM.

Re: chicken pox vaccine / shingles - related?

spoke with my Ped. She swears that one is not related to the other but i dont know, the timing is just so strange.

she also said that DS is fine, he cannot get chicken pox or shingles from DH.

still freaks me out a little bit

i also had chicken pox but when I was 6 months old so, I could get it again

Re: chicken pox vaccine / shingles - related?

I had pox when I was little then b/c of stress a few mOnths before my wedding, actually for my shower I had shingles. Only thing it was on my freaking forehead.

Shingles is usually stress related. Keep your eye on ds!

Re: chicken pox vaccine / shingles - related?

Posted by nicrae

Shingles only stays on one side and doesn't cross the middle. It follows a nerve. That is strange that it is both his sides. I have had shingles twice and it is awful but the rash never crossed to the other side of my body. Once it was a huge rash and another time it was a few bumps. Shingles is caused because the virus in his body is no longer dormant.