immunity? really? - MiniMage - HLtW

LOL, well, the mouth certainly does teem with microbiological flora. It's also a good way to spread herpes simplex virus, and lots of other viruses as well. - Victor Ganata

But it actually doesn't make all that much sense, since most people don't actually develop immunity to CMV infection--the prevalence is something like 50%. Once you're infected, it generally stays latent in your system for the rest of your life (like herpes and varicella.) - Victor Ganata

I didn't know about varicella - MiniMage - HLtW

Varicella reactivation is what causes shingles :) - Victor Ganata

I'd always see "herpes zoster" and wonder what the heck that was about. [edit: Then that'd mean shingles has two names? Guess I'd better Google.] - MiniMage - HLtW

I think the name comes from the fact that varicella zoster virus (VZV) is the full name of chickenpox, and it's in the herpes family of viruses. - Victor Ganata

So chickenpox is a gift that keeps on giving? - MiniMage - HLtW

I'm pretty sure that phrase describes the entire family of herpes viruses... - FFing Enigma (aka Tina)

becoming more depressed [edit: oh, but wait, I don't think I've ever had shingles; why should I be more depressed?] - MiniMage - HLtW

Herpes zoster = VZV. Herpes labialis, herpes genitalis = HSV. - Victor Ganata

It's just a little disappointing that getting over chickenpox didn't actually mean a heck of a lot, that the danged virus can wake up and make one's life miserable for a bit. - MiniMage - HLtW

They even have a vaccine specifically for zoster now. (It's basically the same as the varicella vaccine we give kids, only 14x more potent.) - Victor Ganata