5 yr old with shingles

[thundercat]

My ds who is 5.8 has just been diagnosed today with shingles. He had a very mild case of chicken pox when he was 3. I was really surprised because I thought only older people could get it. My mum had it really badly for about 3 mnths. My mum thinks my ds is stressed because we are here on holiday (we live in Spain) and I am going back on sat. but he is staying on another week then flying back with my parents. Any thoughts on this? Anyone with small children who have had shingles? How long does it last? Feel very much in the dark.

I too was surprised when my ds was diagnosed with shingles at the age of 2. Although the rash looked terrible, he didn't seem unwell and my doc told me that the symptoms are very mild in kids, they don't seem to get the pain as in the adult version. His rash cleared up within a week or so. They can pass on chickenpox through direct contact with the rash. Hope your ds isn't feeling poorly!

thanks for that ntsmum. He seems a lot better today and although the rash is awful to look at, like your ds he says that it isn't sore thank god! Hopefully it will clear up soon and he wont be left with any marks.

my ds (8) had last year was a bit run down and tired for a week but apart from that didn't really bother him. Apparently its a lot milder in children.