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 12 March 2025
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78 Answers Page 6
Kusanku
3 Jan 2015
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.
artsyrsc
6 Jan 2015
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!
Bella09
6 May 2015
Can you please update us to see if the shingles vaccine has allowed you to stop getting HSV 2 outbreaks?
sm1956
21 Jan 2017
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?
DzooBaby
13 Nov 2014
No
DzooBaby
13 Nov 2014
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
Edatdc
22 Oct 2022
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.
kaismama
13 Nov 2014
Coincidence its not the same virus.
Related topics
herpes simplex - suppression, herpes zoster, acyclovir, herpes, vaccine
Further information
- Acyclovir uses and safety info
- Acyclovir prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Acyclovir (detailed)
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