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Q: 

Can a Flu shot lead to Shingles?

By Expert HERWriter October 11, 2008 - 9:42pm
 
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flu shot

dear michelle, a 76 year old friend recently had a flu shot and developed a case of shingles. any connection? coincidental? thanxs so much

Jean

Has anyone ever heard of this or had this happen to them?

Michelle

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EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

So true, happened to me 1 week after senior flu shot I got the shingles, 2 weeks after I got GBS.

May 17, 2019 - 12:07pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Adding my 2 cents. Had a high dose flu shot last year, developed shingles 3 days later, and could not care for my baby grandson for a week because he hadn't had his chicken pox vaccine yet. Asked for the low/regular dose flu shot this year and had no problem with it (I'm 67).

March 8, 2019 - 4:45pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I’ve posted about this before, but I think it’s more likely flu shot compromises immune system that activated the dormant shingles virus. I got shingles when my immune system was compromised due to stress. I don’t believe flu shot in and of itself causes shingles but I do believe it can trigger it. The virus has been there from chicken pox.

March 8, 2019 - 2:23pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Had a flue shot last year within 2 weeks I got the shingles, and right after that got GBS, all form the flue shot. Year latter still have affects from shot.

March 8, 2019 - 1:23pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I had to get a Flu shot for my job at a hospital 2 weeks later i got shingles and now Post shingles nerve damage to me left rib cage i' m only 44 years olds the post nerve damage hurts.

January 7, 2019 - 4:13pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I am a healthy 67 year old. I got the high dosage flu shot on 11/2/18 and started having skin sensitivity 7 days later. Within a few days a painful rash developed and the doctor’s diagnosis is Shingles. I waited for 2 days after the rash started to see a doctor & I am now on Famciclovir for 7 days and dealing with lots of pain & discomfort. I wish I had known that the flu shot has triggered Shingles in others. I would still have gotten the shot but would have seen my doctor at the first signs of skin sensitivity for possible treatment rather than wait 3 or 4 days until a rash developed.

November 14, 2018 - 1:51pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Same thing happened to a family member. She had the high does senior flu shot, she said after the shot she was not feeling well and shortly afterwards got shingles.

February 5, 2019 - 3:06pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Yes I agree. Of course they know but continue to deny it. It’s all about making money.

November 8, 2018 - 5:16pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Correct

March 8, 2019 - 1:25pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

5 years ago, when I was 60, I got my first flu shot because I was "railroaded" by my doctor. Within in 2 weeks, I had shingles on the right side of my face and scalp. This lasted 7 weeks including many trips to the eye specialist to protect the sight in my right eye. The eye specialist said she knows the flu vaccine triggered the shingles. I am extremely healthy and never get sick. I will never get another flu shot. I have not really been sick in the last few years in spite of caring for a 2 year old.

October 28, 2018 - 1:34pm
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