Teenage Shingles Symptoms?

[Ratters123]

Just wondering if anyone has had a teenager with shingles & what were the first symptoms?
My DS has a couple of areas on his back, on one side midway between shoulder blade & hip, that feel like sunburn to touch, but no rash or redness, not recently in the sun, for about a week.
He’s just had a cold, 10 days ago & over it now, a bit stressed about AS results, but otherwise very fit & healthy.
No other symptoms.
Could this be the start of shingles or maybe a random viral thing?
TIA for any views on this.

My DD has had shingles twice, around ages 12 and 15.
Both times were minor cases, she had some blisters on her abdomen (IIRC) first time, and her hand the second time.
She was a little unwell, and had to say off from school until the blisters had dried up.

Hope your DS is feeling better soon OP. Stress can trigger shingles. Might be worth a call to 111, or GP on Monday to rule it out.

Thanks @Shallysally, sorry to hear your DD had it twice!!
How did her symptoms start, anything before the blisters appeared?
He’s generally well in himself & gone to stay with his girlfriend tonight. Her parents are both doctors!! So told him to ask their opinion.
I’ve recommended paracetamol & sudocrem, Will keep an eye on it.

Just to add, I’m only aware of shingles because my DH had a tingling forehead, then woke up the next day looking like the elephant man, whole head & neck literally twice the size of normal.
Took a few weeks to recover!
I confess the shock made me laugh before I suggested a trip to the Doc! 😬
Bit of a family joke now, poor thing!!

The first time she had shingles she was quite unwell, really run down and her vitamin d was low. She had some time off school as she was poorly with that.
I’d not actually linked the 2 before now to be honest.

The second time she was fine, just woke up one morning and her hand was blotchy, turned to blisters in a day or so.

Well it’s handy to have doctors available!

That sounds nasty for your husband!

I had it as a teenager and it started much like that. You need to get antivirals from the GP urgently if it is as they can reduce the likelihood of nastier symptoms starting. They didn't use them in my day and I was in a lot of pain for weeks.

Yeah the recommendation for under 18s is to ring 111 and be prescribed antivirals if it is within the first three days. Saves it getting worse.

My DS has a couple of areas on his back, on one side midway between shoulder blade & hip, that feel like sunburn to touch, but no rash or redness, not recently in the sun, for about a week.

I had shingles aged 22 ish and that exactly describes it.

Thanks all, will call the doc tomorrow & see if we can get an appointment……

The sunburn sensation definitely sounds like shingles. There's been loads of it about in the last couple of years, possibly activated by Covid infections.

He won't probably get anti virus if he's young and healthy, especially as he may have had it a while.