Can a Flu shot lead to Shingles?

I HAD A FLUE SHOT SEPT 15 AND SHINGLES PROBABLY STARTING OCT 5 WITH FATIGUE
HOPEFULLY MEDICATED IN TIME. I'LL KEEP WATCHING THIS SITE FOR MORE INFO.

My mother, 76, a friend, 50, and my boss, 57, got shingles right after getting a flu shot. I know the doctors all say there is no correlation but from personal experience and after reading various websites, I think some research should be done.

I received the flu shot on oct.30 the next night I was awakened with pain under my right shoulder blade and a itch under my right breast,this is very painful,as I hurt in the front and the back,there is a rash under my right breast now.....I think it is shingles and I am going to call my doctor tomorrow.

two weeks after the flu shot.. got mild shingles. my stepmother had a severe case about 2 weeks after the shot. if you've never had this happen, be thankful. i'm boosting my immune system w/ supplements instead of a shot this time....

I got a flu shot and one week later strange little blisters appeared on my cheek beginning about 3/4 of an inch from my mouth. I could see it was spreading so I went to the Dr. who prescribed an antiobiotic. It has stopped spreading but looks so terrible. It hurt a little bit but not terribly. I did have chicken pox as a child, so I have not idea if it
is shingles, but just so coincidental to receivng the shot. It's just one big raised red patch with some scabby areas.
Sorry about being so descriptive.

I posted the following on Saturday September 26, 2009 - - - - Follow-up below repost:

Comment by Anonymous on September 27, 2009 - 9:19am

I am 35 and recently got the flu shot on Sept. 15, 2009. On Friday September 18 I began experiencing pain in my chest above the breast area and pain in my left arm down to my elbow. The following week I developed a rash at the exact area of where the pain my arm is and I also have a rash on my back. Both rash sites are on my left side. I went to the doctor this past Wednesday because of how bad my arm and chest were hurting. EKG showed no problems with heart. Doctor said she thought I had pulled some chest muscles. I didn't mention the rash to her because it had just started and I thought it was a bug bite. With the sever pain I'm having right now and the rash on my left arm and back I really think I have shingles.

I too wonder about the coincidence of getting the flu shot and developing this. I've always got the flu shot and never had any problems.

However, the pain I'm dealing with right now is almost unbearable.

FOLLOW-UP: Ended up going to ER 9/27/09 because in severe pain. I DO have shingles. Again, still wondering if Flu Shot is connected.

I am a 39 year old male. I got a flu shot on 9/19/09. A few hrs later, my left arm (in which I took shot) was very sore and 2 days later, I felt something in the back. Another 2 days later, I noticed some red rashes and I went to Dr on 9/26 for the same. Dr declared that it was case of Shingles. After going through the above posts, it appears that there is certainly some connection with flu shots and Shingles.

Dr has prescribed Valtrex anti viral drug and I am still going through it.

My 4yr old son recently received a flu shot which was accompanied by redness and bruise. A week or so later he developed shingles. To our knowledge he has never had chicken pox but he did receive the vaccine which, according to the literature, can sort with a regular virus and cause shingles. I asked the very specific question of the Dr. as to whether the flu shot can cause a shingles outbreak. Her response was that in 22 years practiving medicine she has neither seen an instance where a shot cause a shingles outbreak nor heard of such a thing. I have read many blog sites and heard one post that an elderly gentleman who receives back injections has had four recurrances of shingles. Apparenetly he stopped getting the injections and the shingles episodes has ceased. It is heartbreaking. Our boy thinks it is the shot causing the pain and we allow him to continue to do so. Apparently the severity and length of symptom occurance is less for children than for adults, for which we are thnkful.

Hi Anonymous,

Thank you for sharing your story and I am sorry to hear that your in unbearable pain. You should certainly go back to your doctor since the pain is severe and the rash has spread. It may be an allergic reaction.

I too had a flu shot last year and was seriously ill from it. Last year was the first time that I received the flu shot and everyone tells me to get another one this year but after the first episode, I am unsure.

In your situation, seeking medical help would be beneficial. I hope this helps.

I am 35 and recently got the flu shot on Sept. 15, 2009. On Friday September 18 I began experiencing pain in my chest above the breast area and pain in my left arm down to my elbow. The following week I developed a rash at the exact area of where the pain my arm is and I also have a rash on my back. Both rash sites are on my left side. I went to the doctor this past Wednesday because of how bad my arm and chest were hurting. EKG showed no problems with heart. Doctor said she thought I had pulled some chest muscles. I didn't mention the rash to her because it had just started and I thought it was a bug bite. With the sever pain I'm having right now and the rash on my left arm and back I really think I have shingles.

I too wonder about the coincidence of getting the flu shot and developing this. I've always got the flu shot and never had any problems.

However, the pain I'm dealing with right now is almost unbearable.