I already had an episode of shingles 2 years ago. I'm coming off a flu and sinusitis, and I have rib pain on the other side. Is this a return of shingles?

Good evening sir,

You say the pain is coming back, but on the other side. This is unlikely to be shingles. This is because the virus usually "hides" in the nerve ganglia near the spine on one side only and will reappear there (if it has to reappear at all).

To be sure, just follow the possible outbreak of pimples. If you see lesions appearing on your skin, it's because the virus was "hiding" on that side as well.

Know that in your situation, this pain may simply be occurring because of the cough associated with your flu (intercostal muscle pain).

Good evening,

Alexandre Chagnon, pharmacist