pregnancy and shingles.....

[ez]

Okay all you medical experts out there.....I am 25 weeks pg and my DS 20 has just been diagnosed with shingles. He doesn't live home, but we are all supposed to go to an Aerosmith concert in Orlando tomorrow. I don't remember having chickenpox but I assume I have, my sister says she remembers us having them. Also, dd 10 had the chickenpox vaccine, can she go to the concert with her brother with shingles? Or, should he not be going to public events like that at all, his doctor really did not restrict his activities. What should we do here?

 

[floridafam]

When I had shingles, I was advised to keep my distance from my little ones because they had not had the chicken pox vaccine yet.

Is there any way you can check for sure to see if you have had chicken pox?

Your DD 10 should be okay but you might want to check with your physician.

Considering you're pregnant, I would be extra careful.

 

[MosMom]

You are in your 2nd half of pregnancy and chicken pox only has a slight chance to hurt a baby in the first half of pregnancy. It is rare for a pregnant woman to develop shingles and shingles are not thought to cause any problem to babies. You can't catch shingles but you can catch chicken pox from someone who has shingles.

Since you are in your 2nd half of pregnancy and have probably had the virus, I would go ahead and go (I would call my doctor to be sure though). Besides, your son was most contagious before the rash appeared.

 

[DisOrBust]

Most OBs whose pts can't remember if they had chicken pox or not have a variclla titer(chicken pox) drawn with the rest of their intitial prenatal labs call and see if it was done. There is a small risk to baby however it can have deadly, although very rare, consquenses to mom. Call your ob and find out exactly what your risks are.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I see your problem. There is always a risk when you expose yourself to a virus. Honestly since he has shingles going to a concert is probably not a good thing. People that have compromised immune systems are at greater risk than you I would think.

I would put in a call to the OB and get some advice. Hey, if the OB says it is a risk then HE should stay home. I LOVE AEROSMITH!!!

 

[Mskanga]

Wether you had the chickenpox or not when you were younger, doesn't make a difference, I had it when I was 13 and I had the shingles 14 years after that.
The shingles are the second phace of the chickenpox, remember that the virus always stays in the body but it remains dormid the majority of the time, but you can get the shingles even after you had the chickenpox.
I wouldn't take a chance, stay away from the person if you can.

 

[Duchie]

Just got over shingles. I was told to stay clear of children and pregnant women, but that's because it's very dangerous for pregnant women to get chicken pox. If you've already had them, then I'd ask your OB if he/she thinks it's safe.

 

[kilee]

I'd ask my doctor. I actually can't believe his doctor didn't give him any advice or restrictions. When we get patient's w/ shingles at our office they are told to stay home for 5-7 days at least-- we do the same w/ chicken pox.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Well my ds 14 just had the shingles 2 weeks ago. He actually had them for about a week before I took him to the dr. They immediately quarantened him from school for a week, had to tell the whole class, gave him fanvir ? sp., some antiviral pill, and the dr. told us not to let him touch anyone and make sure we all always washed our hands. We are leaving for disney in 2 days and he has scabs but the dr. said its o.k. to swim since none are oozing. He still needs to apply poly? ointment twice a day for two weeks. He was miserable, pain and itchy. He did have the chicken pox. I would say, stay away, far away. Its in you and your babys best interests. healthwise.

 

[Microcell]

Originally posted by Mskanga
Wether you had the chickenpox or not when you were younger, doesn't make a difference, I had it when I was 13 and I had the shingles 14 years after that.
The shingles are the second phase of the chickenpox, remember that the virus always stays in the body but it remains dormid the majority of the time, but you can get the shingles even after you had the chickenpox.
I wouldn't take a chance, stay away from the person if you can.

That is what I was thinking too!!!! I definately would not touch him! I think the DB level of the concert would be of concern! LOL You must want this baby to be a rocking little one!!

 

[Mskanga]

What is Shingles?
Shingles is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles occurs in people who have had chickenpox and represents a reactivation of the dormant varicella-zoster virus. The disease generally affects the elderly, although it occasionally occurs in younger and/or immunodeficient individuals. The first sign is usually a tingling feeling, itchiness, or stabbing pain on the skin. After a few days, a rash appears as a band or patch of raised dots on the side of the trunk or face. The rash develops into small, fluid-filled blisters which begin to dry out and crust over within several days. When the rash is at its peak, symptoms can range from mild itching to extreme and intense pain. Contact with a person with shingles may cause chickenpox (but not shingles) in someone who has never had chickenpox before.

Again, I had the chickenpox and years later I had the shingles. If you didn't have the chickenpox , shingles could give you the chickenpox putting both , you and baby at risk. IF you had the chickenpox, you can get shingles. Is it worth it? No in my opinion.

 

[floridafam]

I just wanted to add...

Chickenpox and Shingles can both be very painful. The nerve pain from Shingles can last a very long time.

Someone with shingles may not even have very many blisters on the outside of their body. It is possible to have internal shingles.
This is very rare but it can happen.

If you haven't had chickenpox, you may want to ask your doctor if the vaccine is recommended after you deliver your baby. I'm not sure they give it to adults or not.