I thought the shingles virus was related to the herpes virus which causes cold sores, or so I was told. I guess I was misinformed, but I did get a very bad cold sore during the time my grandmother was with us. That one was the worst, but the recurring ones (every few years) are not nearly as bad and clear up quickly.
May the Lord keep us all free of diseases and afflictions. They are not fun, to say the least.
Just curious but have you had chicken pox as a child? Most people have but a few escape it.
I got it when I was 16 years old which is unusually late. I can well remember the sores driving me nuts itching and I have scars on my behuind from scratching them.
(More info than you wanted to know I bet)