Shingles in 15 year old daughter

[Stygimoloch]

My daughter developed a rash on her back on Thursday of last week. We originally thought it might be her eczema but it spread around her torso on the left side and then tiny blisters appeared.

Doctor confirmed shingles and she’s now on Aciclovir.

She doesn’t really feel ill. The rash is uncomfortable and she has a bit of a headache.

I’m just really surprised and a little worried about why she’s developed it so young. I know young people can get it but it seems rare in a teenager. She has always been very healthy; she had chicken pox when she was 4 and a few other childhood illnesses. I haven’t noticed her picking up other bugs lately so I didn’t think her immune system was low.

Does anyone know of any other triggers? I know shingles is the chicken pox virus reactivated but my worry is why this would happen so young and is there something underlying going on that we don’t know of.

Thank you!

My ds had CP at 6 months old and shingles age 3. Was misdiagnosed as eczema at first. He's 18 now and he hasn't had a recurrence. Is she stressed or run down as that can reactivate the virus?

Stress is a biggie. I imagine she's knee deep in GCSE prep and/or exams at that age?

Glad she's not feeling too rough with it.

Thanks both. She’s in y10 so I suppose she may be stressed about mocks. She just hasn’t seemed it.

I’ve just read something about sun exposure so that’s a possibility too.

Hi, hope she recovers soon! I had shingles aged 15, year 11 at school, and it was put down to stress. Mine also started on my back and shoulder area, no other confirmed cases at school.

I had it again approx. 10 years later in final year of PhD, this time across my scalp and neck. Felt very poorly that time, again it was put down to stress.

Touch wood not had it again, but have recently been diagnosed with two auto immune conditions, whether or not it was linked, but Consultant suggested my history it should have been obvious earlier (always had tonsillitis, UTIs etc.) Not trying to frighten, but if you notice a pattern always ask for a second opinion as mine was always put down to 'stress' due to studying 🙄

Has she had COVID or any other nasty viruses in the last three-six weeks? That can trigger the chicken pox virus to reactivate. Stress and sleep deprivation are two common triggers as well

I had it at 13. It was a few months after my father died so I e always thought that was the link. I've had it twice as an adult so maybe I'm just susceptible. I also had a terrible reaction when I got the vaccination. Only time I've ever reacted to a jab.

I hope she's ok, I found it very painful.

Thanks again everyone. She’s normally very healthy. Hasn’t had any illnesses for ages. She’s very sporty and doesn’t get stressed easily. I think that’s why I’m worried. I can’t link it to anything really.

She was diagnosed by the out of hours doctors last night so wondering whether it might be an idea to take her to the GP to see whether she’s lacking in anything.