1. Community
  2. Infections
  3. Shingles

If you have shingles does it make you more susceptible to other infections?

Posted , 6 users are following.

Shoe_Lady
Shoe_Lady

My shingles pain started behind my right shoulder blade in dec 2014. It lasted 4 days before I broke out with a red raised rash right in the spot of the piercing pain. My mother-in-law had shingles and brought me over some acyclovir she keeps for recurrences. I began taking it right away and used a topical made of zinc oxide and Greek yogurt, which helped with the pain. I suffered from The nerve pain for several weeks and finally got neurontin to help. I was off the meds in about 3 months and just had mild pain for the rest of the year. Until dec 2015. I then began having pain on the opposite side(left side) shoulder blade and radiating to my neck. It felt the same as before, so I started the acyclovir right away and I never got the rash, but the pain continued to get more severe. Called my doc and got neurontin ordered again. I'm off the neurontin now, but still have a mild pain from my neck to shoulder blade and a dull ache across my upper back to chest. I also have been coming down with one illness after the other. Since this episode started, I have had the flu twice, one sinus infection, and now a cold and cough. I do have 6 children that bring stuff home, but in the past, I would not catch everything that comes through my house.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Merry19451
    Merry19451 Shoe_Lady

    Posted

    Dear Michelle,

    I am so sorry for all you have been through.

    Another way to look at your immune system is that people who have shingles already have a lowered immunity, and are more susceptible to other illnesses. You didn't mention your age or other health conditions. As we get older, our immune system wanes, or slows down. Also, the more diseases you have, the more time your body spends dealing with the disease burden, even when it is controlled. If you have asthma and take Prednisone, a corticosteroid, it will lower your immunity. If you have an autoimmune disease such as Lupus, Psoriasis, ITP, Sjögrens, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc, it will lower your immunity. Cancer definitely lowers your immunity. I would definitely get the flu shot annually to try to prevent the flu, and also see if you are eligible for the pneumovax, if you are older or have certain diseases. The flu shot and pneumovax have spared me the more severe Bronchitis and pneumonias I used to get.

    Best Wishes

    Merry Juliana

    • Shoe_Lady
      Shoe_Lady Merry19451

      Posted

      I am 43, and the only thing I know for sure I have is life stress. I am a mother 9 children in a blended family, which is very complicated. My husband is gone a lot, so I carry all the responsibilities at home most of the time. Otherwise, I have not even gone to the dr for anything but regular check-ups. I exercise regularly and do yoga to help reduce the stress. I haven't had health problems until the shingles hit 2 years ago. Thank you for your response. I'm wondering if shingles alone can cause my health problems lately.
  • mila64566
    mila64566 Shoe_Lady

    Posted

    hello Michelle, I am sorry to hear that you have to suffer the shingles for a long time. For what I know my doctor told me if you are a healthy individual ( not immuno compromise patient) the possibility of shingles to come back is really small.so I wonder how old are you and any other past illnesses? I have lupus and this is the first time I had it and it was really painful. I have a lupus since I was 26 years old and now I am 33, I can only advice you on what I am doing since its tough not to catch disease when your immune is down, make sure that you eat balance diet and take vitamin c and have exercise and stay away from the sun, I notice that my skin is so painful when it touch the sun for a long time sometimes you cannot prevent it ( driving, grocery, walking outside) make sure you wear a sunblock. And most important relax and power of prayer to get away to all the stressor.( work, financial etc) I hope you feel better soon and God bless
  • Merry19451
    Merry19451 Shoe_Lady

    Posted

    Michelle,

    I would ask your physician for a work-up of your cervical and thoracic spine to ascertain if you have anything else going on there. You are at an age where the spine starts to deteriorate and cause severe pain of neuralgia. An MRI would be most useful. Again, your immunity is lower and you get shingles. I was 44 when I had my first episode of Shingles. You are also under tremendous stress raising 9 children in a blended household. It is difficult to know exactly why you are more susceptible to illnesses this year. Either your immunity is waning, or the children are bringing home a new batch of viruses and bacteria.

    • Azbella
      Azbella Merry19451

      Posted

      Hi Merry , wonder do yeast infection have any thing to do with shingles ??? I keep getting them under the girls 😕 Ty
  • Jmac2
    Jmac2 Shoe_Lady

    Posted

    I have had a lot of different things come up since have shingles. I feel like I'm getting the flu before a break out, extremely tired,irritated easy. I have since been diagnosed with eczema. My skin literally hurts to be touched and the sun makes it feel like it is on fire. I f I just bump into something it rips. My dermatology doctor thinks it may be related ,just can not come out and say it is. I take Acyclovir 400mg a day now. I must say it is getting hard to grow younger.
  • Azbella
    Azbella Shoe_Lady

    Posted

    Think maybe your shingles weakened your immune system ...... I have periods of just feeling like I got hit by a truck , however last nite there were bumps in my scalp n eye pain was returning ..... I take nerontin for headaches ... Can't wait to go see my PA
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.