Childhood shingles

[BestZebbie]

I think my 5yr old DS may be getting shingles - he has an intermittent but recurring headache, fever, and is complaining of pain and itching from a very specific palm-sized patch of his hip/waist on one side, where there was a mild blotchy red rash a few hours ago which has now faded away after having some emollient put on it. He has had chickenpox previously. I'm assuming that he is just about to break out in the proper blistery rash in that patch, as that follows after four days - do I
a) give him calpol and icecream and stay at home without doing anything else, because the NHS is collapsing and the only thing they could do is give anti-virals which are ptobably better used elsewhere this week?
b) call 111 or gp about it tomorrow morning (assuming this is pre blistery rash) as any intervention needs to be done "asap" to minimise the chance of ongoing pain in the area for years to come?
c) call 11 or gp as above but only after blisters appear, if they do?

(For reference, he has now been indoors/in our garden only for between 1-2 weeks with only wiped groceries etc coming in and doesn't have any sign of a cough, nor does anyone else in the house).

I would call 111 and get the antivirals

afaik the antivirals are quite specific to herpes, and do need to be given asap, so I would be calling gp tomorrow
my gp was happy to confirm/diagnose and prescribe for shingles (for me) over the phone, so it's not a huge burden on the nhs
on a positive note, DD2 had shingles aged about 3 and was poorly for a few days but never had any recurrence

DD1 had quite a large band halfway around her body at age 6, and the GP didn't prescribe anything. He just recommended Calpol for any pain. But she wasn't overly troubled by it at all, except for not being allowed to change for PE at school.

I dont think they give antivirals to children for shingles. Calpol and anything you'd use on chickenpox would be useful. Maybe piriton syrup if they are itchy

OK - I think my plan is to call the GP tomorrow (if I can get through!) and see what they say, but not really expect anything to happen except option a. If required I can then go to a pharmacy to hunt for calamine/piriton etc. Thanks!

Seek advice, my son had shingles aged three and is still scarred from the blisters aged eight. However he wasn’t very unwell with it so hope the same goes for you.

DD had it around age 7 and she was given antivirals. I only took her to the doctors as she was complaining of pain in the rash. I didn't even know they could get shingles at that age.

I had one very rude parent complain at me that she was still at school, in case I have his child chicken pox. They are fine to be at school as long as the rash is covered. At lest you won't have that problem at the moment.

My ds had them age 3. Was misdiagnosed as eczema at first so definitely didnt get antivirals. More likely to get childhood shingles if you get CP under 1 year (ds had it at 6 months)