Peg
I had a severe case of shingles at age 23, my last semester of college. I know now, as I look back, that it was brought on by extreme stress. My body simply broke down. It began at my spine, and wrapped around my entire abdomen. That was in 1984, but I remember the pain, itching, and discomfort. It took nearly a month the start subsiding, but my understanding, is that since you are young, that it doesn't last as long as it does in the elderly. I have not had any reoccurrances. I hope this is somewhat reassuring.