Lyme causing shingles outbreak?
 

My son Ben was diagnosed with Lyme in June within 24 hours of us removing the tick. He had the bullseye rash at first and ended up with facial paralysis which lasted 8 weeks. He was treated with 3 weeks of antibiotics and 5 days of prednisone.
Now he's experiencing headaches and facial pain with redness on the same side as the tick bite and facial paralysis. His pediatrician thinks maybe a shingles outbreak, though there's no rash yet...just redness and pain on the cheek...we're in 'wait and see' mode. He has swollen lymph nodes in the neck which are sore but no fever.
So, my question is this...they say that the lyme is bacterial and the shingles is viral but could the shingles be a result of the compromised facial nerves during the lyme infection? It seems too coincidental to me not to be related. This is a 100% healthy active kid otherwise.
Thanks for any ideas!!

I don't know if there is a direct link but it wouldn't surprise me if the Shingles virus (which is highly opportunistic) pounced on his vulnerability caused by the Lyme. Lyme can cause a huge range of symptoms though so it may be all co-infections from the Lyme. Perhaps they should run the Western Blot cultures after he's done with his antibiotics again to make sure all of the potential co-infections were killed off. That's just my 2 cents.

shingles
 

Ben's mom,
My story sounds similar. After comingoff IV Rocephin 4 weeks ago, I gradually got worse and worse (pain, swelling, etc). The pain mgmt doc thought I had developed a reaction to pain meds so they were switched around. At my worst, I was so swollen, I lost 13 lbs within 24 hours! I'm alittle beter but the pain is terrible. I was out on 2 days of predisone (like your Ben) and wonder if this exaserbated the itching, rash, etc. I also developed some large blisters which have burst. My hubbuy is going to call the doc and see what this is. Good luck with Ben and keepme o=posted>
Thanks, Jackie

Hi BensMom,

Sorry to hear about your little boy.

The chickenpox virus remains in the neural cells and spinal fluid after we've either had chickenpox or been innoculated for it.

When our immune system is comprised in some way--IOW---lyme---
that which normally protects your body against infection is weakened.
The chickenpox virus can become active again. As dizzylizzy stated, it's an opportunistic virus. If this happens, it causes shingles.

I have heard of at least 2 people with lyme (adults) who also had shingles as one of the earlier symptom of the disease.

In the event that the 3 weeks of antibiotics may not have done what they are thereotically supposed to do at first-bite--
I would suggest seeking a LLMD (specialist, lyme-literate md) to evaluate your son's condition. It's a complex disease in-and-of-itself and it's best to have a specialized eye look at it rather than having a GP treat symptoms as they arise. Can't hurt to see a LLMD anyway.

Facial paralysis, numbness is common in lyme. I had (and have) that myself as an earlier symptom as well.

Best of luck to you and your son.

Hello,

YES

The LYME bacteria will activate Virals in your little guy. His Immune System is Low.


A few weeks of antibiotics is not enough with the target rash.


You need a LLMD.

Hugs, Roz