Shingles - Need Advice

[iluvdisney]

I was at my sister's last week and she developed "shingles" before I left to head home.
Now, I've never had chicken pox and I'm wondering if I should be worried. My own kids had chicken pox about 20+ years ago and I never got them them.
Anyone with medical advice for me? I'm really bumming cuz I leave for WDW at the end of the month.

 

[always quiet]

From what I understand, any adult who has had the chicken pox, when exposed to them again could develop shingles. I don't really know how common this is because I would imagine if it happened frequently, any adult who had the chicken pox as a child would develop shingles when their own children got them!
If you haven't had the chicken pox, I imagine you are safe! Some people just don't get chicken pox. My sister had 6 kids....5 of them got chicken pox, yet one did not. When her own children got them, still nothing!! Looks like you're one of the lucky ones!

 

[floridafam]

You CAN develop chicken pox from someone with shingles but this would require touching the sores or touching someone's hand after they just touched the rash.

If you are extremely worried you could get a chicken pox immunization.

I was advised by my doctor to stay away from my children when I had the shingles a few years ago. They were due for the chicken pox immunization soon after that so I didn't worry so much after they had their shots.

Shingles are very painful. I can't even explain the pain. You can have trouble for YEARS after having shingles. I still have pain in my arm and near my spine at the site where the blisters were. I also had a reaction to the anti-viral medication I was given. If your sister experiences any vision problems or dizziness it might be from the medication.

Please tell your sister to hang in there. I'm sure you'll be fine. Let us know if you do end up going to the doctor and what he/she says.

 

[mad4themouse]

I remember "Quaranteed" signs on the doors of patients who were admitted with shingles to the hospital I worked at. Any staff member who had not had the chicken pox was prohibited from entering the room. The virus is highly contagious and you do not need to touch the infected person in order to become infected. Infection can occur thru tiny droplets in the air.

An immunization shot would be of no benefit to someone who has already been exposed. It takes a while to generate immunity and the virus will have already done its dirty work by then.

The virus has an incubation period of 7 to 21 days. That means it can take as little as 7 days or as long as 3 weeks after exposure for the symptoms to appear.

It is possible that you have had the chicken pox, abeit a very mild case, and that may be why you never "got it" when your children were infected. If that is the case, you may already be immune to the disease.

I don't think you should spend the next 7 to 21 days worrying about it. I do think that you should consult your own doctor for a more professional opinion regarding your chances of coming down with the chicken pox.

 

[WeirdEyes]

Well that's just great! My DH currently has the shingles and I've been putting cream on the rashes. I've never had the chicken pox either! Am I doomed? My DS had the chicken pox when he was 2 and I never got them then. Maybe I'm immune to them. I hope!!

 

[sadeeyore]

I hope you don't get shingles.
My DS was 1 and I was 25 when we both got chicken pox

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I am another person who didn't get the chickenpox. Wierd, huh? Maybe we had a mild case and no one noticed?

I wanted to say that there is a vaccation that you can get if you develop shingles. I think you have to get the shot within 12-24 hours or something like that. It is supposed to lessen the effects and can prevent serious ones for starting.

I'll keep my fingers crossed!

 

[momof2inPA]

My infant son caught the chicken pox from my husband's shingles a few years ago. If an adult catches chicken pox, can't they get any anti-viral shot? I believe you are supposed to ask for one as soon as you notice symptoms.

 

[cati]

xx