Question 1

is it becoming more common for young adults (mid 20's) to develop shingles?

Accepted Answer

No: There is no such evidence that incidence of shingles is increasing in younger population.

Question 2

how common is shingles in toddlers?

Accepted Answer

It happens: I saw it once in a 15 mo old. It is uncommon and less common after immunization than from wild chickenpox.

Question 3

are shingles common in young people?

Accepted Answer

No: Not unless there is a problem with the immune system or the person has undergone chemotherapy or radiation treatment. This must be evaluated carefully in a young person. For older people, we now have a vaccine to help prevent the occurrence of shingles.

Question 4

is shingles common in a 18 year old boy?

Accepted Answer

It happens: I've seen it in toddlers as early as 15 months and it is seen throughout life. Though more common in older adults, it is not rare.

Question 5

how common is it for a 23-month-old to get shingles?

Accepted Answer

See below: This would be very unlikely. Although, you can get a shingles rash for up to 2 years after receiving the chickenpox vaccine.

Question 6

why do we not hear much about shingles if it is so common?

Accepted Answer

Shingles: Chicken pox is common when young, but the same virus stays dormant for years in the nerve, and when it breaks out, due to age, stress or decreased immune function, it causes severe pain, blisters, and sometimes scarring.  The new "shingles" immunization increases a persons ability to keep the virus from breaking out.

Question 7

can you tell me how common is it for a 23 month old to get shingles?

Accepted Answer

It happens: I've seen it in toddlers as early as 15 months and it is seen throughout life. Texts report cases possible in infancy if their mother had it in pregnancy, even if the kid never had a recognized outbreak of chickenpox. Though more common in older adults, it is not rare.

Question 8

is it possible for shingles not to be in a dorsal area ? how common is it?

Accepted Answer

Shingles: Yes it can be seen on the dorsum - it follows the distribution of the affected nerve. Cannot comment on how common this is.

Question 9

how are shingles different than a common rash?

Accepted Answer

Much more painful: Shingles (herpes zoster) is a reactivation of the varicella virus which causes the chicken pox many adults had as children.  It causes an exquisitely painful rash which occurs along usually the trunk.  Shingles often occurs in straight lined clusters called dermatomes corresponded to the nerve the virus infects.  It is treatable with antiviral medications if caught early.

Question 10

i had shingles a month ago on l arm. felt like someone stabbed my arm. now the same pain is on r arm but no sign of shingles. is this common?

Accepted Answer

Likely not shingles: While it is possible for a person to get shingles more than once, it is quite rare, especially in the wake of the first attack. Your antibody levels to herpes zoster (the virus that causes shingles) are high and should prevent another infection for at least a while. More likely some there is some other cause behind the pain.

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Doctor answers about:

Common areas for shingles

A member asked:

Is it becoming more common for young adults (mid 20's) to develop shingles?

A member asked:

How common is shingles in toddlers?

A member asked:

Are shingles common in young people?

A member asked:

Is shingles common in a 18 year old boy?

A member asked:

How common is it for a 23-month-old to get shingles?

A member asked:

Why do we not hear much about shingles if it is so common?

A member asked:

Can you tell me how common is it for a 23 month old to get shingles?

A member asked:

Is it possible for shingles not to be in a dorsal area ? how common is it?

A member asked:

How are shingles different than a common rash?

A member asked:

I had shingles a month ago on l arm. felt like someone stabbed my arm. now the same pain is on r arm but no sign of shingles. is this common?

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