Four weeks after looking after her grandchildren, who had been unwell with a rash over their trunks, this lady has developed shingles.

Questions

1. It is likely that this lady caught shingles from her grandchild who had chicken pox, true or false?

2. The rash associated with shingles is painful and consists of a crop of blisters, true or false?

3. Shingles never affects both sides of the body at the same time, true or false?

4. In all cases antiviral medication should be started as soon as possible after the rash appears, true or false?

5. A new shingles vaccine has been developed which will reduce episodes in those at risk, true or false?

Discussion

1. False: Shingles isn't caught, it is caused by a reactivation of the varicella zoster virus from the dorsal root ganglion

2. True: Secondary

3. False: Although in almost all cases a single dermatome is affected, occasionally more than one dermatome can be affected.

4. False: In many cases shingles is self limiting requires no treatment. In the elderly or immunosuppressed antiviral are helpful 

5. True: A new vaccine has been developed and is due to start being used soon.