Shingles and Steroids

Hi,

I have done a search on this subject but can't find much info (so sorry if it has been covered before).

I am asthmatic and have been on pred for a long time. My mum has just been diagnoed with Shingles today and I know that on the pred boxes it says to avoid people with chicken pox and shingles if you are on long term pred. Does anyone have any experience of this or any helpful information? (My mum is meant to be coming from Ireland next week to visit).

Any information would really be appreciated.

Sarah x x

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i have just had shingles ... and you can only cathch chicken pox from someone with shingles IF you havent had chicken pox before. In other words you cant catch shingles from someone with shingles. That is the information i have been told by 2 nurses who i saw about my shingles.

'If you have not had chickenpox before (usually young children), you can catch it from someone with shingles. However, you cannot catch shingles from someone with shingles because the virus has to be reactivated, rather than passed on. If you have had chickenpox in the past, you are immune and cannot get it again.'

Someone with a weak immune system, like us who are on steroids are more susptible to shingles

'Weak immune system

If you have a weak immune system, it is best to avoid close contact with someone with shingles. If you have a shingles rash, you should avoid sharing towels, going swimming, or playing contact sports, in order to avoid passing the virus on to someone who has not had chickenpox.'

nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/a...

Hope this helps!! and btw putting camomile lotion on helps!!

[Moose1]

When I had shingles, I felt so rough I didn't want to get out of bed, let alone travel. You may find your mum won't want to come over. Took me 3 weeks to get back to work and a couple more weeks to feel human again.

Christine

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Thanks for all the information, I was a bit confused about it all so its really cleared it up!! I think you are right Moose1, she is feeling really rough at the moment, so it may be she wont want to come over after all (just a shame as its my sisters graduation!).

I hope you are feeling better now KatieLou. Thanks both of you for your messages.

Sarah x