Shingles?

[april1693]

19 year old son woke up on Thursday with a headache, felt out of sorts all day, with a dull ache under both arms (but worse on right side) and left side of neck. I had a feel and although he said it was tender to touch I couldn't feel any swelling. He also felt light-headed and very tired. No temperature or nausea, just felt, in his own words "rough". He had similar symptoms on Friday and felt a little better on Saturday. Today he woke with an unbearably itchy leg and when I looked he has a line of spots, only about 8 in total, more like small hives than blisters and they begin just below his groin and stretch round to just behind his knee. Is there any possibility it could be shingles? I'd appreciate any opinions. April x

[Sqad]

That is a very, very unusual presentation for shingles and i doubt if that is the diagnosis.

My bet?.......Glandular fever.

[boxtops]

would this help you to tell? http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Shingles/Pages/Symptoms.aspx

[april1693]

Thanks folks. The only thing that made me think shingles was the pattern of the spots and the fact that it was only on the left leg. He feels fine today, just bothered by the itch. He also mentioned that the ache under his right arm is worse in the mornings. I'll try to get him of to the docs in the morning - not the easiest thing to do with a stroppy teenager!