Shingles after viral infection? advice please

[soupofpasta]

I've just had some kind of quite bad virus.

Started at the end of last week, and the first two days were a write off, 39.5 temperature, horrendous muscle aches all over body, cough etc. I could barely make a cup of tea. Stayed in bed most of the days.

Been much better since yesterday, however I noticed a weird feeling across my back. Like a 'sunburnt' feeling, it hurts if my clothes touch it, also hurts in general, and now it's getting stingy. It does feel like that pre-cold sore way. Just looked after shower and there is a small rash to one side of my spine.

It's shingles, right?

Should I take Acyclovir? (I have the tablets on repeat for cold sores). I don't like the side effects so would rather not, but will it get worse if I don't?

Also I am desperate to get out, but is this like airborne infectious? or just if someone gets in contact with the rash? I know it's bad for vulnerable people so wouldn't want to give it to anyone.

Depends on what they did maybe wrong. They need help.

The dose of aciclovir for cold sores is much smaller than shingles dose. It depends on lots of other factors as to whether you need treatment or not, such as age, immune status and how severe or painful the rash is. Best to speak to your GP. Hope you feel better soon!

Edited to say it was probably the shingles virus that made you feel unwell in the first place!

Sounds like shingles. A family member has it at the moment. It is transmissible as chicken pox, but only on contact. Keep it covered, don't touch and wash your hands, and you're fine to be out and about (unless you work in healthcare with vulnerable patients, then I think the advice is different).