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 25 January 2024
70 Answers Page 2
Just had my second Shingrix shot yesterday. I am a 67 year old female who developed genital herpes around age 35. I got tired of frequent recurrences and have been successfully taking 1 gm. of Valacyclovir daily for ages to suppress it. I was taking Zovirax twice daily before but have trouble remembering to take medications more than once a day on a regular basis.
Hearing about the pain a friend dealt with as he recovered from shingles prompted me to finally get the vaccine. Other people I know who had gotten the first one were now scheduling their Shingrix shots, so I figured that is the one I should get.
I had no issues with the first shot and so far none with the second. I don't usually react strongly to vaccines, though, anyway. The only one I remember having any trouble with was a recent pneumonia shot; I thought I might never move my arm again - but the next day it was back to normal.
If I have herpes trouble in the next several days, though, I will post an update.
Shingrix is against varicella zoster virus, genital herpes is HSV-2 or HSV-1. So it is unlikely shingrix will protect you from GH outbreaks. For me, when I got my first Shingrix, I had a huge reaction that has gone on for months. You are lucky to have no reaction.
SEM42, I am aware that while the various herpes viruses are related, they are not the same. I understood this thread to have been discussing the - coincidental or otherwise - relationship between the shingles vaccine and genital herpes outbreaks. I know everyone is weighing the benefits vs the risks of the vaccine, so I wanted others to know not everyone has a bad experience. Beyond a day or two of feeling a little funky for a couple of people, none of the dozen or more people I have discussed it with have had any problems. Only a few of them have dealt with genital herpes that I know of, though, although it isn't something we necessarily share with everyone, so regarding that aspect I can only speak for myself. I am sorry to hear to hear your experience is not the same - I hope your issues resolve soon.
There are post from people who who received previous shingles vaccine and no longer have breakouts.
Yes it can. I got my first dose of Shingrix and it has induced HSV symptoms that are ongoing for the last 2 months. and spreading. it's awful. Places I never had symptoms, now I have them. I took high dose valacyclovir for almost 6 weeks, but the symptoms continued to slowly spread and would burst out when I stopped or lowered my dose. Creatine helps a little but not enough to end this. Tomorrow I will buy lysine and see if that helps. Any other suggestions welcome.
for anyone reading this: if you get a strong vaccine (shingrix, corona), TAKE VALACYCLOVIR AT THE TIME YOU GET THE VACCINE, A HIGH DOSE LIKE 2 GM. and keep taking it for about 2 days. this should help block any reactivation. I wish I had known.
While Shingles/varicella and HSV are not the same virus, and while the Shingrix vaccine has no virus in it (it's just a protein), the vaccine can clearly induce both HSV and varicella. Perhaps it is the fever. or the adjuvant in the vaccine, but the effect is horrible and dramatic. The depressing thing is that Zostavax made from the oka virus is actually protective against HSV. But I thought I was doing this great thing getting the stronger Shingrix vaccine. Big mistake - now I'm in a herpes hell with no end in sight.
Has it gotten better? The HSV that is. Still having breakouts and/or taking antivirals?
I had dose one of Shingrix one week ago. I have had two mild genital outbreaks in new areas on my penis. I had injection site pain for 2 days. I was fatigued and had headaches for 2 days. I had a bout of fatigue 5 days after the shot so severe I almost passed out while walking. I had another outbreak on penis 6 days after the vaccine. I was only having an outbreak about 1 time yearly prior to the vaccine. I’ve had HSV2 since 1984. I believe the outbreaks are most certainly related to the vaccine. I will probably pass on dose two.
My 28 year old cousin had the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine on 3/15/21 and 10 days later got a rash on his abdomen and back. He was diagnosed with shingles. I had my second Pfizer dose on 3/17 and now have a herpes outbreak. Mild but still painful. I am 68. Has anyone else had outbreaks after their Covid inoculation?
A friend of mine got mouth sores all over after her CoV shot and the tingling remained for a year. things that helped: take valacyclovir for 1-2 days starting at the time of the shot (not when you already have symptoms). and creatine about 5 gm got rid of the tingling.
I am 67 and had the Zostavax vaccine 5+ years ago, before Shingrix came out. After over 25 years of dormancy, within weeks of the shot my herpes returned in the same spot on my bottom and every month. I took Valtrex for outbreaks, then daily for 6 months as prescribed by my dermatologist. They are less frequent now, maybe every 3-4 months, but 4 - 500mg Valtrex in 24 hrs at the first sign, clears it up.
So, for those thinking that the original vaccine “healed” the outbreaks, that was not my case. I also had a mild case of shingles in Aug 2020 on my hand (which they first diagnosed as COVID-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19 because I had a fever and thought the rash was eczema). Doctors always said the herpes outbreaks were not related to the vaccine but I was never convinced. Now that they are pushing me to have the Shingrix series and I have read this post, I am going to pass and pray my mild experience with shingles will be my last.
The virus that causes shingles and the virus that causes herpes are related viruses. They have 70 genes in common, so they are kind of like siblings. So, it is not at all surprising that when one is vaccinated against shingles, one acquires some immunity to herpes as well. However, this only appears to hold true with the older, Zostavax vaccine. The newer vaccine, Shingrex, appears to actually cause outbreaks of herpes, at least for a time. So, if anyone is considering being vaccinated against shingles, I would advise them to try to get the older, Zostavax vaccine. There is no hard and fast scientific data that says Zostavax will prevent outbreaks of herpes, both HSV1 and HSV2, but real life data points to the fact that it does.
Does anyone know if zostavax after a shingrix vaccine is still protective? I had a round of shingrix and it is causing all kinds of problems. I would love it if the zostavax solved some of these but I don't know if or how a prior shingrix would interfere with the zostavax vaccine. If anyone has done this, I would love to hear about their experiences.
I thought I answered yesterday, but it is nowhere to be found. If this is a duplicate, I will try and delete it.
My Whitlow was tested and found to be a type 1 herpes infection of the finger. I first got it as a child because I had oral cold sores and bit my nails to the quick - often until they bled. I have had random outbreaks on that same finger, up and down that same finger, for about 40 years.
I was once diagnosed with HSV2, but I don't get recurring outbreaks on that.
Just under 4 weeks ago, I got the Shingrix vaccine. This week, I have the most painful Whitlow outbreak I can recall having in a LONG time and to make things more confusing, it isn't on my finger. It is just below the web and crease where the finger meets the palm of the hand. What a terrible place to have it, because the radiated pain is no longer just the finger. It is the palm and adjoining fingers.
It freaked me out so I started doing Google searches hoping to see if this is related to the Shingrix vaccine.
I see in the comments that there isn't a reason to think the harder/relocated outbreak is related, other than my immunity being stressed by the vaccine. It doesn't make sense with what I am seeing and feeling, but I guess I have to accept that.
HOPEFULLY, the booster shot will have no such coincidences and HOPEFULLY I will be one of the lucky who stop having HSV1 outbreaks afterwards.
BTW: I am glad I got the vaccine. With my having been infected with two types of the herpes virus outbreaks in my life, I surely didn't need another.
UPDATE: I had 3 more outbreaks on my finger during the period between the two vaccines. However, the following 3 outbreaks were milder than any I ever had and were shortlived (just several days each).
I got my second SHINGRIX vaccine two months and three weeks ago and since then I have not had a single outbreak. NADA. I went from four outbreaks within 3 low-stress months to zero outbreaks in the 2.75 very stress-filled (awful) months following the last SHINGRIX shot
Coincidence? Maybe. But I will gladly take it.
Also adding: The two Shingrix vaccines did NOT at any time trigger my dormant HSV-2
It seems you had the zostavax vaccine not Shingrix, is that right? zostavax is known to be protective. shingrix was ok'd by the FDA in 2017 and is much more specific. Can you comment on which vaccines you have had?
I have definitely decided not to get the new Shingrix vaccine after all the posts I’ve read about so many getting herpes outbreaks right afterwards. I’ve been contemplating getting this vaccine for so long, but just can’t risk getting outbreaks of herpes. I’m someone who has had this dreaded virus since 1975 & I have had so many repeated outbreaks through the years I can’t begin to count them all. My outbreaks are always absolutely horrific too. Drs. always have said usually after the 1st initial outbreak they get less & less painful, less frequent etc., not so with me. I’m otherwise an extremely healthy person so not going to risk this for anything. I think this vaccine must somehow interfere with people who have Herpes Simplex 1 & 2.
I think you are making the right decision. However- if you go back and look at the vaccine prior to 2015 you will see that the “Zostavax” vaccine instead of the “Shingrix” vaccine actually HELPED people improve their herpes. I am a 28 year old female (Never has singles but heard of zostavax vaccine helping) and decided to search all around for the shot as my herpes also has gotten increasingly worse. I received the shot July 2nd and have had slightly better luck with the herps.
I am 74 year old male. Had the chickenpox as a child and a few herpes sores in my teens, but never a cold sore in 60 years. Never a shingles outbreak. I had the original shingles vaccine Zostavax 9 years ago... no problems. In October 2019 went to Costco to get the first new Shingrix shot... no problems. In July 2020 I received the second Shingrix shot from Target. Felt real sluggish for two days then had a terrible outbreak of genital herpes. Have never had genital herpes before. Went to Urgent Care and am now on 1000 mg Valacyclovir. Both the Urgent Care Dr. and the pharmacist said probably not related. That is not what I think.
Just wanted to follow up and see how its going. Was it a one time outbreak or has it reoccurred?
Have had HSV2 since 1968, now 75. Had outbreaks on and off until 10 years ago when I started Famvir. Zero bouts since. Would not get the first, live virus, vaccine. Very hesitant to get the new vaccine, but finally did in August 2019. Have had no reaction to the shot. However, after reading on this site... I WILL NOT GET THE SECOND SHOT.
It’s probably still worth it. Acyclovir took care of it for me, and shingles can be incredibly crippling. You need the second shot to secure the results you want.
Did you ever get the 2nd shot? Just curious as to results. I get cold sores every time I get a flu shot. This year I am thinking of taking 1500mg of Famvir prior. Do you use Famvir for suppressive? Curious the does. I think they said you have to do 250mg twice a day. I was doing 1/3 a 500mg pill twice a day which is about 167mg and did not get any outbreaks during it but was not on it so long.
Side effect of vaccine
I have had herpes since the 70’s
Rarely get outbreaks
The one I got was a serious one and definitely cause by the vaccine
No doubt in my mind
No other stressors going on that would have caused it
VACCINE RELATED
I know this is a tad unrelated but I recently got the flu vaccine.
I generally take 500mg a day of Valtrex because if I stop I get bad outbreaks of HSV1 , cold sores but generally I dont get them while on the Valtrex.
Right after the flu vaccine I got a cold sore outbreak. I really think the vaccine just messes with your immune system . I know its different as flu is not in same family but Chicken Pox /Shingles /HSV 1 and 2 are.
On a side note, one effective treatment I have found is povidone ointment. Its basically Betadine in ointment form. You cannot find it in the US on store shelves however I usually buy generic from Amazon. The only negative is you cant where it in public as its brown, but in combination with Valtrex/Acyclovir , if its HSV2 no one would see that anyway. I usually put it on my lip if I feel an outbreak and I am home alone. Sometimes a little can get on comforter when sleeping but no biggie, comes out in wash
Btw , could not edit my other comment. But the "major" brand of povidone iodine is cheaper and stronger than the Betadine cream, you also want to keep it refrigerated to make it less runny if you can but not necessary
A number of us, some of whom hadn’t had an outbreak in many years, had the same reaction. Luckily, for me acyclovir worked and I am long since back to not taking it. (My herpes patch was on a buttock, not genital herpes, but it probably doesn’t matter.)
I received a shingles vaccine, dose 1 about one month ago. I am 67. I have not returned for my second dose. In the past 10 days I have had 3 Herpes Simplex1-facial-attacks which I have fought back to some extent with Docosanol cream and lots of lysine. it gave me a pretty extensive one at the bottom corner of my lip on the right side, involving both the lips and surrounding facial skin. Then one tried to start above my lips on the left side-ferocious prodromal itching but I fought it off with Docosanol-10 X a day and then 2 days ago it starts on the upper lip and surrounding skin on the left side of my face. It's moderating with the medication but is there. I've never had this many so close together before this. I'm reluctant to get the recommended second dose.
After reading all the posts on this forum, I have decided not to risk taking this shingles vaccine.
I am 69 years old and usually very healthy. No hypertension (103/62), no diabetes, and in adequate weight for my height and age (5'5", 130lb) etc.. My husband and I are still sexually active.
I have been suffering from HSV2 for approximately 7 years. This was after my husband and I split up for a year and got back together. He tested positive for it. He hardly has any outbreaks. My first outbreak was on my buttock and so was my second one within 6 months. I didn't have an outbreak for 1 year and when I did, it was in my genitals (perhaps, caused by the friction of intercourse). This outbreak was terrible(many sores)and lasted for over a month, even after taking Valtrex and doing all the home remedies I read online.
When I finally went to see my gynecologist, she gave me a prescription for a cream that had to be mixed at the pharmacy that contains Desytine, Silver and Nystatin Cr. to be applied in the affected area. By the next day, the improvement was noticeable and by day 3, it was completely gone and I was back to normal. She said not to take Valtrex every day as a preventive treatment because, then it won't help when there is an outbreak. I take 2000 mg of L Lysine, 5000 IU of Vitamin D3, 2000 mg of Vitamin C daily. I used to take Bio Strath (for the inmune system) but quit for the last year because of how expensive it is. I exercise 3 times a week with weights and do interval exercise of brisk walking and running. If I feel some mild itch and/or burn in my genitals sometimes and mostly after intercourse (friction may cause outbreaks), I immediately apply the cream in the area and within an hour or so, it's gone. This cream is also very effective with skin sores or any irritations in other parts of your body. Once you apply it to the sore or irritation it's gone within hours. I call it the magical cream. The doctor recommended to ONLY take Valtrex, at the first sign of symptom for only 3 days. I haven't had an outbreak in 4 years. Perhaps, these preventive measures have helped me and may help you as well. Staying healthy, stress free and taking care of your immune system are the key factors as preventive measures. Therefore, I will not get this shot for the time being, unless extremely necessary. Hope this helps.
I'm about your age Brisa and have decided not to take the 2nd shot after 3 oral herpes outbreaks in the last 10 days after the first dose. And just reading all of this seems to be encouraging another area. I do not see how this can be a coincidence as I have had very much reduced problems in the past decades. And now 3 in a row- a new one just as one begins to heal. I am so tired of being advised to take medicines for things that might happen only to develop another problem. I'm old enough to just start saying : " No, I don't think I'll do that ." And my grandmother had shingles. I know it can be bad. Good luck with healing.
I have Genital Herpes.I take Valacyclovir everyday without missing a dose.I received the Shingles vaccine a couple weeks later My mouth And throat broke out in bad Herpes sores and never has before.They start to clear up then break out again. The Dr &Pharmacist swears it wasn’t the vaccine ,but I say it was ! Please Help what to do ?How can I help myself?
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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