Sally Thurman
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                        
                        
                        I had shingles when I was in my early 30's and I know someone who had them at nine years old.  Its not your vegetarianism, but you might consider taking food supplements to strengthen your immune system.  A short corse of prendisone really wiped out my pain and I never had any more problems.