In a message dated 11/13/2002 8:02:46 AM Mountain Standard Time, franor@atmc.net writes: > I heard in the old days when the Shingles go around > your waist you died. That's an old wives' tale. All that having them go all the way around shows is that nerve roots that are on opposite sides of the spinal cord got involved at the same time. Usually only one nerve gets affected at once, although multiple nerves can be involved. And as for them coming back "once a year," there is always the possibility of recurrence, but not on any kind of a set timetable. Most people who get shingles get it only once or twice in their lives. Doris (Up2Nutrix@aol.com) "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." -- Jim Elliot, missionary and martyr