[KarynB]

Originally Posted by sbaglio

You never, ever, get used to seeing a child die. Never. I have too many heartbreaking stories, so I'll just stop there...

Yes, shingles represents reactivation disease. The full name of the virus is varicella-zoster (VZ). Primary infection causes varicella/chicken pox. An immunocompetent person's defenses control the infection after a time, and the virus remains latent in the nerve ganglia (or nerve roots, as it were). When the body's defenses decrease again, such as in older individuals, the virus can reactivate, causing zoster/shingles. My mum had shingles last year, so I know what you mean about the pain.

In immunocompromised people (e.g. those getting chemotherapy, on immunosuppressive drugs, the very malnourished, those with AIDS etc), zoster can become disseminated (spread) throughout the body, rather than remaining in certain areas of the skin.

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Hi Fadzi,

So does this mean that HIV+ kids SHOULD get vaccinated, or should not? Sorry, I am just a little confused! It seems that if they do get chicken pox or zoster, it would be much worse for them, and they could even die from it as you mentioned above. But I know some parents of + kiddos who will not vaccinate due to the stress it puts on the body. Thoughts?