What Could be Causing Shingles?

What Causes Shingles?

In order to deal properly with shingles we need to understand and — if possible — remove the underlying causes and risk factors. We need to ask: "What else is going on inside the body that might allow shingles to develop?"

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Accurate diagnosis of the factors behind shingles consists of three steps:

Step 1: List the Possible Causative Factors

Identify all disease conditions, lifestyle choices and environmental risk factors that can lead to shingles. Here are four possibilities:

Lupus (SLE)
Adrenal Fatigue
Weakened Immune System
HIV/AIDS

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

Identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

constant thirst

breast soreness during cycle

chest pain when breathing

history of postpartum depression

previous transplant surgery

low lymphocyte count

slow recovery from colds/flu

suspected adrenal insufficiency

hypoglycemia

high sensitivity to bright light

frequent meal-related bloating

coffee consumption

... and more than 90 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of shingles:

Cause	Probability	Status
Weakened Immune System	92%	Confirm
HIV/AIDS	22%	Unlikely
Lupus (SLE)	3%	Ruled out
Adrenal Fatigue	0%	Ruled out

* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

In the Immune System Symptoms section of the questionnaire, The Analyst™ will ask the following question about shingles:

Shingles (also known as Herpes Zoster or Varicella Zoster). Have you ever been diagnosed with this condition? Symptoms include rash, blisters for 1-14 days, burning/shooting pain and tingling/itching usually on one side of the body or face.

Possible responses:

→ Never had it / don't know
→ Probably/minor episode now resolved
→ Major episode now resolved
→ Current minor problem
→ Current major problem

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate either history of shingles or shingles, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:

Low Adrenal Function / Adrenal Insufficiency

Lupus, SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)

Lupus patients are at an unusually high risk for contracting herpes zoster.

HIV/AIDS

Some people with AIDS develop frequent and severe shingles; shingles is 9 times more likely to develop in those infected with HIV.

Weakened Immune System

Shingles is also more common in people with weakened immune systems from HIV infection, chemotherapy or radiation treatment, transplant operations and stress.

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