Can a Flu shot lead to Shingles?

I had a flu shot and then a few days later got the shingles on the same side as the shot was given. My stress level was lower than ever at the time and I had never been healthier. I have, however, gotten the flu shot for several years and never contracted shingles before this time. I am 56 now, and I think the flu shot may be a contributing factor in getting shingles. When I told my doctor that it started with a muscle spasm (shingles attacks the nerves, especially in the back and in the exact place I had the spasms) he clearly did not associate the two, and I am certain that those two incidents were directly related. So, a study on the possible connection between the flu shot and contracting shingles is definitely needed, and there are enough people who don't take flu shots--and enough who do--to make such a study pretty simple and definitive, I would think. Plenty of us lab rats out here to draw from.

HI,
My 19 year old daughter was diagnosed with ulcertive colitis 3 years ago and came down with a nasty case of the shingles last summer on her forehead and scalp. Because of her condition, both her GI and Primary doctors strongly recommended she get the regular flu shot as well as the H1N1 flu shot. Last week, exaclty 7 days ago, she, as well as her sister and I all received the regular flu shot and just today she came to me in tears because the shingles are back! She is scheduled for the H1N1 shot next week and I'm afraid to think what it is going to do to her. Rest assured I will be on the phone to the doctor FIRST thing in the morning.

Dear Anon,

I am in my fourth week of shingles and happy to report am better everyday. I believe the connection lies in the preservative thimerosal, a mercury based anti bacterial. It has been used since the 1930's in vaccinations, and is at the heart of a major controversy around autism. It attacks the good as well as the bad, so it well may be the catalyst which activates the latent chicken pox virus that is at the root of all shingles. So far it is all speculation and no verification. But I wonder when and where that might ever happen knowing how little money there is for these kinds of research that might cut into profits.. Sad.

The actual 'shingles vaccination shot,' is a live virus with no preservative, so it actually does not attack the immune system. I foolishly procrastinated getting it, and continue to pay a price.. My hope is to be as vocal as possible and help others avoid the mistakes I made.

My very reputable doctor is the one who suggested my shingles might have happened as a direct result of the flu shot.. The one I received was not even H1N1... Never again!

I got the flu vaccine on Monday. Three days later I got shingles for the first time. From the looks of this board I'm beginning to suspect people are being injected with Shingles contaminated flu vaccine so the drug companies can make more money.

YES!!! I am a 64 yr. old woman who recently had the seasonal flu shot. I never get these shots as I don't take medicines hardly at all so am skeptical on this shot. Due to the H1N1 scare I decided to get this one hoping that it will offset the effects of swine flue if it should hit our area. The seasonal flu shot that I received had Thiomersal in it. I should not have had it. I did develop shingles and have never had a cold sore before this. I had the shingle (herpes zoster) on the corner of my lip and it has made my mouth sore and the roof of my mouth. I went on meds for that. The Dr. that gave me the shot had no idea that shingles could be a side effect, didn't even know that it had the Thiomersal in it. go figure! Now I am experiencing pain in my right shoulder, back, lung area. hard to bend over. don't know where this is headed............any comments from others?