Shingles....

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Nope, not the one used for roofing or siding of a house...I meant:

Shingles - viral disease characterized by a painful skin rash with blisters in a limited area on one side of the body, often in a stripe. The initial infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV) causes the acute (short-lived) illness chickenpox, and generally occurs in children and young people. Once an episode of chickenpox has resolved, the virus is not eliminated from the body but can go on to cause shingles—an illness with very different symptoms—often many years after the initial infection.

Unfortunately, I have it right now. The pain that comes with it [more like ahead and along] started last week. I thought I was just having my usual aches and pains so I just started taking pain reliever like Tylenol and aspirin. Well, last Wednesday evening I noticed a rash on the right side of my left knee. I didn't know what to make of it so I just put some cream on it but it stayed the same. I started reading this morning and that's how I came across the possibility of shingles. Almost all the symptoms are there except for the severe pain and the area affected. So off we went to the doctor this evening....and I was right, I have shingles. Sigh...

I have no idea what activated my 'dormant virus'. It can be stress [husband? LOL...nah] or I may have a weak immune system. Whatever it is, I just want it to be over and done already. I honestly don't remember having chicken pox so I may be very young when I had it. From what have read anyone who had chicken pox can have shingles.

The biggest reason I went to the doctor as soon as I realized what it could be is the little one. Shingles are highly contagious. Shingles though is not what I can transfer to her but chicken pox since she hasn't had it. She already had the first batch of vaccine for chicken pox but it's not complete yet. I don't want her to get the chicken pox although the doctor said that it'd be better for her to have it while she's young. But I'm not willing to take the risk. I am hoping that she won't get it...sigh.

So if you don't see me around much [like I'm around much eh?]...that's the reason. I am on medication and I have no idea what it will do to my body since I just started it. I'd probably be down the whole day....hehe

That's it. Oh before I forgot, you have nothing to worry about....I don't think it can spread through cyber space....so the bloghsphere is safe from me......LOL!