I got my vaccine on a Friday, felt headachy and rundown all weekend. By Tuesday I was getting an outbreak. I hadn't had one in a pretty long time and I take acyclovir when I do. Coincidence or a side effect of the vaccine?
Can the shingles vaccine cause a genital herpes outbreak?
Question posted by artsyrsc on 13 Nov 2014
Last updated on 25 January 2024
70 Answers Page 5
Shingles, caused by the chicken pox virus, is not the same virus (actually, two viruses) that cause herpes. However, chicken pox, herpes simplex 1, and herpes simplex 2 are all members of the same viral family, herpesviridae. Other members of the family include the Epstein-Barr virus (which causes mononucleosis) and cytomegalo virus. This means that these viruses are closely related.
Herpes anti-viral medication can be used to treat outbreaks of shingles, indicating that the viral replication among herpesviridae members is very similar in all viruses.
The shingles vaccine is a live, attenuated vaccine. What this means is that you are receiving a weakened virus that will trigger a response in your immune system, allowing your acquired immune system to build antibodies against the chicken pox virus (since that's what causes shingles). In about 1 in 70 people, the injection can cause a headache, and approximately the same number of people get very small chickenpox blisters near the site of the injection.
All of this is lead-in to say, "no one really knows, but it doesn't seem likely". The only reason anyone gets chickenpox blisters after getting the vaccine is because they receive a weakened live virus that can cause the blisters. You didn't get more herpes virus, and the antibodies for the two viruses are almost certainly different enough that your body couldn't devote the antibodies it normally produces to fight your herpes virus to fight the varicella (chickenpox) virus. However, it's possible that in fighting the new exposure to varicella, your immune system didn't keep up with its fight against herpes, and the herpes virus was able to start replicating again.
In order to tell what really happened, immunologists would have to do a double blind placebo study to determine whether people with herpes who get a shingles vaccine a) are responding to the contents of the vaccine as opposed to the stress/"nocebo" effect of getting a shot, and b) if their immune system drops the ball in the fight against herpes in order to pick up the fight against varicella.
The good news is that once your body has responded to the shingles vaccine, you get extra protection against herpes. You should be able to expect fewer outbreaks and less pain during an outbreak. And the same, of course, goes for shingles.
I had NEVER had a herpes two outbreak until I got the shingles vaccine. It's not the same virus, true, but it most definitely stresses the immune system! I'm now having an outbreak every 2 months on average I wish I had never had the vaccine
I'm VERY interested in this thread. I am 63 and had my first HSV2 (very painful) outbreak this past spring (2016). My partner and I have been monogamous for 20 years. He was tested and does NOT have HSV2. I had my shingles shot at age 60 - I assume like most of us in this discussion. My OB/GYN swears there is no connections but your testimonies say otherwise. So, this only tells me how latent HSV2 can be. Why are people not tested for HIV/HSV2/other diseases passed via sexual contact before they get married!?
Well this is interesting... I had the "shot at 2 P.M. this afternoon" and have mild discomfort in my arm and neck and joints with some mile warm flashes. Since I turned 60 I sure didn't want shingles and my herpes outbreak 30-years ago was angst enough. As to Oldlady commenting on testing couples getting married... YES !. My bride omitted reciting that fact and transmitted on our wedding night and waited until the divorce was final before confessing. My attacks over the years are very mild and infrequent but it's been a journey to get to this point. I await the next journey in my life and hope the "shot keeps shingles at bay".
I just wanted to report back. Since receiving the Shingles vac in 2013 I've been free of type two attacks - that's over three years so my results agree with the French study posted here. I reported this to my doctor but he was skeptical and advised that I write to the vaccine maker to see if they had any interest. Apparently there are no tests he can do to see if I'm herpes free. The existing tests look for antibodies to confirm herpes which I would have regardless. I see that most of you have not had my luck but our experiences certainly indicate a connection between the shingles vac and our herpes status. Perhaps some other things about me might be useful. I'm 70 and contracted type II in 1975. I've never taken the herpes meds preferring to know when an attack is coming to spare my wife who does not have the condition after 25 years together. I eat a reasonable diet that's mostly fish, chicken and vegetables.
I'm also very physically active in eastern exercise. For me that's 45 years in the martial arts but it could also be yoga. I'm not offering my lifestyle as a cure but any changes one can make to boost the immune system could help. I wish you all luck and will report back occasionally if my luck holds or changes.
I have several comments in here describing a positive effect the shingles vaccine had on my type 2 herpes. I've also seen a number of comments reporting the opposite. Here's a thought. One of the side effects of the shingles vaccine can be shingles. Those of you who have had a changed pattern in your herpes attacks since the vaccine should think about seeing your doctor to see if you're having shingles attacks instead of type 2. Shingles is only contagious to someone who's never had chickenpox while we all know how contagious herpes is. If the vaccine has caused you to switch diseases it could be good to know.
I've had genital herpes out burst 4 times in two months after the vaccine. The doctor said the vaccination has nothing to do with the out burst. But I'm surprised there are other people experiencing the same. Is the outburst gonna keep coming?
I just read a study done in France on a small number of subjects who had herpes simplex 1 or 2 or both. Half were given the anti varicella zoster vaccine used for shingles prevention and all 24 of them were cured of the Herpes 1 and 2 outbreaks over the next 6 years of follow up.
That matches my experience. I thought I had an outbreak a year ago but it was so mild it could have been something else. Essentially, I have been without attack since the shingles vaccine. Can you supply a reference to the French study?
This is something I can verify too. I had the Shingles vaccine 8 years ago and have never had a HSV1 since although I had them regularly before that. I mentioned this to my sister who then also went and paid to be vaccinated two years after myself and likewise has only had one small outbreak since - although she is a stress ball. Then my nephew married a young lady who was plagued with them. After we mentioned our experiences, she paid to be vaccinated and it's now 4 years clear of them too. Not sure how or why this has worked for us - I have some medical training and am sceptical, but in our experience it seems to be more than a coincidence.
di1949, which shingles vaccine did you, your sister and niece receive? Also what are your ages (if you don’t mind me asking) Im quite curious to give this a try but haven’t found a lot of discussion on it so I’d love to hear from someone who has experienced it! Thanks!
I had the shingles vaccine a few weeks ago and started breaking out in my genital area. I have had fever blisters on my lips from time to time during my lifetime, but have never had an outbreak in my genital area. My OB-GYN doctor put me on Valtrex a few days ago. He did a culture and I am waiting for the results.
What did the culture come back as? Are you continuing to have outbreaks?
I have had genital herpes so long that the outbreaks were few and far between, yrs between. Since getting the shingles vaccine it seems I have been getting one outbreak after another. At least one every other month and worse then I used to get them and sometimes in more then one area at a time.
I was wondering how things are with you now, do you still get outbreaks every other month after the shingels vaccine? I just got the shot myself with no sign of outbreak but my husband suffered a major outbreak after the vaccine and now fear he will have even more problems.
Miss H
Misshopeful. Did your husbands outbreaks continue to be more symptomatic and more frequent or have they started to be less?
Buzzfed, hos outbreaks are about the same as before the vaccine.
Have you gotten any HSV 2 outbreaks since getting the shingles vaccine?
It's been several months since I had the vaccine, but I would say that I most likely did have an outbreak or two since then. I have started taking Valtrex in the past month or so, and have had no troubles since then, despite going through some pretty stressful times.
In over a year since the shingles vaccine I've experienced only one minor outbreak of type 2. It was extremely mild. My pattern has definitely changed since the vaccine.
Thank you both so much! I'm looking to get the vaccine soon and hoping it puts an end, or at least cuts down on, the HSV 2 OBs.
Bella09 let's be clear. I'm only reporting my experience and not offering the shingles vaccine as a cure for type 2. I don't want you to be disappointed on my account. I was in drug development for years and know how much it takes to confirm such a hypothesis. That said, it can't hurt to get the shingles vaccine for whatever good it brings.
Hello, I read this string with a bit of hope. Even one outbreak in a year would be wonderful. (I have had for 32 years, break out about every 2 months average)
I am curious, this is a question for the women that have experienced fewer OB. What Blood TYPE are you?
Since there are some of us that are 'plagued' by it, and some that never know they even have/ carry the disease, I am increasingly intrigued by the why.
FYI when I contracted it, they didn't know much and didn't even type it then. And for years there was no medicine. And while you can now find out if you have HSV 1 or 2 genitally, and even your Viral load, they still don't know much. It's very disappointing. another FYI anytime I go off the medicine to give my body a break? I have almost constant outbreaks for months. As if the virus wants to make up for lost time, the jerk!
My blood type is O+.
Thank-you for the reply and fast response.
I am a bit of a geek, so I completely understand the empirical evidence reference dilemma etc... because there are racial markers, genetic markers... and telomeres...
Also I am truly annoyed there is no Vaccine for those that don't have it, and no resonable cure/ drug for those that do. The antivirals make m pretty ill at times... so I often go without.
thanks again, Miss Mcat
Just wanted to add that I had the shingles vaccination 5 years ago now and although I would regularly get HSV2 outbreaks 3-4 times a year, I haven't had an outbreak since. Having shared this information with a long suffering friend who had outbreaks approx.every 8 weeks, she paid privately for a shingles vaccination 2 years ago now,and similarly has been free of cold sores ever since - apart from a small outbreak just after receiving the vaccination.
Hope other people will find this useful.
My blood group is Rh -ve O
That's great 1949. I wish you continued success! I also continue to do well with only one minor incident since the shingles vaccine and I'm not even sure it was herpes. Someone in the Pharma industry should do a study.
Wow, thanks ladies! and the idea to have the vaccine privately is a good one. As I am not the age to have my insurance cover it anyway, I was wondering how to get the vaccine. I doubt my 'Dr' would even rationally discuss the idea as a potential...
I have been off the anti-virals for a while now ( no partner, pout) and I wonder... question for di1949, her friend possibly and Kusanku ... were you on anti-virals at the time you had the vaccine? My reasoning for the question is this. I read a recent thread where the new HSV2 sufferer was put on the antivirals right away for a solid year. After that year she carried no viral load anymore.
As well, even though I am menopausal (early 50's) I am on hormones. And they know there is a link with progesterone and OB. And while I would love less OB, the hormones saved my life quite literally, so, ya know... And I defnitely did have a lovely string of OB right after going on the hormones. That was what made me curious about the potential link so I statrted to read medical studies.
So perhaps if you ladies are willing... an age range...
I will be visiting a new Gyno soon and have a list of things, lol, but top of the list is to have my HSV typed and the viral load done before I experiment. I have nothing to lose really and as I have stated, I am a curious soul.
thanks Missmcat
Oh and thanks di1949 for the blood group. I am now reading about that, as all I know about mine is the O+
I don't even know how to find out about all the factors you mentioned, hee.
Missmcat, I've never used the antiviral. After living with this for 40 years I believe the best way to protect my wife is in knowing what's coming. I've always gotten clear indications before an attack and she remains herpes free after 25 years.
Oh, and I missed the part in your earlier comment where you were only querying the women. I'm male. Sorry if I misled you.
Thanks Kusanku,
Not inquiring only women about the HSV2 though, so your responses and answers have been quite helpful. Just had directed ?'s w/ menopausal... so yea, you are out on that one. Though a mans hormonal profile changes as well. :-)
I too have never infected anyone (did a check w/ ex's recently) as I also knew what was coming.
You did not mislead... any info is good info as far as it goes for this p.i.t.a. disease.
If empirical evidence means anything the same thing happened to me. I got a type 2 outbreak within 24 hours of the shingles vaccine. I agree that they are not the same virus but it's quite possible that the shingles vaccine put a strain on our immune systems and caused a type 2 outbreak. Interestingly, my cycle of outbreak was every two months but I haven't gotten an outbreak since the shingles vaccine over a year ago. I can't find any studies on this but for what it's worth.
Thanks, Kusanku. I agree with you that, although we are talking about different viruses, it makes sense to me that it could still be a trigger by stressing out the system. I wish I had your great luck of over a year's worth of no outbreaks!
Can you please update us to see if the shingles vaccine has allowed you to stop getting HSV 2 outbreaks?
More empirical evidence. I got the shot at 5 pm and woke up this morning with an outbreak at 7 am. As typically I feel the tingling feeling for a good day ahead so I can start the meds I got no warning.
Now my question is can I do the valcyclavir or will it impact the vaccine?
No
Genital herpes is NOT caused by the shingles vaccine. The shingles vaccine will not trigger a break out of genital herpes. As KM says, they are different viruses
Based on my personal experience, I can assure you with 100% certainty that the Shingrex vaccine WILL trigger HSV2 outbreaks. Three days after receiving the second dose of the vaccine, I had the worst HSV2 outbreak imaginable, far worse than any other in my almost unfortunately 40 years experience with HSV2. The severe outbreak now has continued for two weeks. People need to be made aware of this. There should be a class action lawsuit for not disclosing this as a side effect.
Coincidence its not the same virus.
Related topics
herpes simplex - suppression, herpes zoster, acyclovir, herpes, vaccine
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- Acyclovir uses and safety info
- Acyclovir prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Acyclovir (detailed)
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