How many people do you know who have had shingles more than once and before age 40?

I’ve mentioned before I’ve been getting shingles since my 20’s. I know of two other jellies who have similar situations. All of us have had outbreaks multiple times. Right now, for the first time ever, I have it on my face! I’ve always been grateful it hasn’t been on my face for vanity reasons, and also for fear of losing my eyesight. I actually started getting pain in my face a couple of years ago a few different times, and now I know that was part of shingles, because this time I got some blisters on my forehead following that pain.

Here’s the thing. I hear over and over again how rare shingles is in young adults, and how rare it is to have more than one episode. I don’t think it’s so rare.

I complained to a girlfriend today what I am going through right now, and she told me she also has been getting shingles for years and her last episode they almost hospitalized her.