Multiple Shingles Infections

Shingles is a condition caused by infection with varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Although less common than having a single outbreak, it is possible for an individual to experience two or more shingles outbreaks.

Cause

• Recurring shingles is not caused by a new infection with VZV, but by the same initial infection that caused chickenpox earlier in life and, later, the first outbreak of shingles.

Features

• VZV is never cleared from the system; it remains dormant in some of the body's nerve cells once symptoms have cleared up. Aging and having a weakened immune system contribute to the development of shingles, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Treatment

• People who suspect they are having an outbreak of shingles should seek treatment as soon as possible. This is because, according to the Mayo Clinic, the antiviral drugs used to treat the condition are most effective when started within three days of the onset of symptoms.

Considerations

• People who have become resistant to acyclovir, which is a common antiviral treatment for shingles, may be treated with the antiviral drug Foscarnet, according to the AIDS Education and Training Centers (AETC).

Complications

• People who have one or more shingles outbreak may also experience chronic painful condition called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). People who have pain after the rash of shingles clears up should consult their doctors to pursue further treatment.