Does this look like shingles?

[Maximo2]

And can I still go to school if I feel well enough? (Teacher)

If it's shingles then no you can't as could pose a risk to pass on chicken pox..,

You need to seek an actual medical opinion rather than post on mumsnet.

Hope you're ok.

Chickenpox raging in school at the moment. NHS website says I can if rash is not weeping…Bleuch!

I feel relatively ok, but tired but that’s normal.

Will ring doctor in the morning.

Can you find a pharmacy that is open today, Boots or one in the supermarket to find out? Unfortunately they probably can't prescribe anti virals if it is shingles but can give you advice.

That’s a good idea, will investigate

Looks like it crosses the centre of your body, I think that means it's unlikely (but sure someone will let you know if possible)

Yes that does look like shingles. I’ve had it many times. You need to get some anti-virals from your GP. I was told if the rash was covered up you are in little danger of passing anything on but you might be feeling a bit unwell, so might be wise to take a few days off in any case.

Scarlet fever?

Yes if it crosses the midline it is very unlikely to be shingles . Doctor

I've just had it, didn't know that's what it was and kept going through it - now I am absolutely floored with post-viral fatigue. Take a couple of days off, even if you feel relatively OK.

It’s smack bang in the middle of my chest

It looks like shingles to me. I had it there as well but it followed a line up around the back of my neck. I hope you're okay. It was very painful for me but what was worse was afterwards. The post viral fatigue was terrible.

If it is shingles you can still go to work if the rash can be covered

You have 72 hours from the start of symptoms to take Anti Virals for shingles.

Pharmacist was quite vague, advised me to go to a walk in centre but the wait there was five hours so I left. Phoned 111 but still waiting for call back 4 hours later! Rash is oozing so will stay off tomorrow and try to see GP. Thanks for all your advice.

I don't think shingles oozes. And if it's in the middle (therefore both sides of the centre of your body) not likely to be shingles.

You'll likely be feeling an electric shock style pain.

From the NHS website:

Stay off work or school if the rash is still oozing fluid (weeping) and cannot be covered, or until the rash has dried out

111 have not got back to me after 17 hours! GP is ringing before 11.30am

It oozes then it crusts over, you're not infectious after the crusting. Thankfully you're not infectious if you can cover the rash over either (apart from sharing towels and stuff) as I was walking around with it for a week!

GP wasn’t sure - thought it could be another virus because of the position, but couldn’t rule out shingles. Then Ofsted have announced a monitoring visit tomorrow, so will be straight back in. Don’t feel 100%, but I would have just ignored it had it not been for the rash!

Id go to walk in centre because if its shingles, you need antivirals within first 2 days otherwise you can get nerve damage. I had it recently and doctor wasnt sure and brushed me off, but i was so stressed about it, i went up to the walk in centre and they confirmed it as shingles. Luckily i managed to get antivirals and it was ok.
You wont have caught it from kids with chicken pox. Shingles comes out in people who have previously had CP whem their immune system is compromised or under extreme prolonged stress

Extreme stress, definitely a tick! Will do that if I feel any worse, thanks, not too bad atm