She has had sores it in her ears, mouth, face.  My Father had sores in his throat and developed bird throat.  A person can go blind if the sores go to the eyes.  When the vaccine came out about 18 months ago, I paid the $200 and got the shingles shot immediately.

       There has to be much more going on than a reoccurrence of the small pox virus.  The body's defenses must have changed to let this virus rear it's head again after 40 years.  Shingles may last 3 months or 12 months but it is not something to mess with.  Your friend needs to stay away from babies for the first few months when the pax have pus.  He can give give babies the chicken pax.  After the pax dry up; there can still be sores but they are not contagious.  For an adult who has had chicken pax; there is never a contagious period from someone with shingles.  it does play hell with a marriage though.