Advice please

[Dorisgirl]

Hi folks

After a bit of advice. I have ischemic heart disease. 5 year old granddaughter with chickenpox. Should I steer clear. I have had chickenpox.

Advice welcomed

[Lezzers]

You can catch chicken pox twice, my husband did. The 2nd time he was in his 30's and was certainly worse than childhood chicken pox. However, it is unusual to catch it twice, I would ask your GP or medical team for advice.

[Dorisgirl in reply to Lezzers]

Thank you for your reply have tried the nhs helpline someone will get back to me tomorrow. So will FaceTime today. Many thanks

[Calliope153 in reply to Dorisgirl]

I worked with children for a very long time - we were always told chicken pox infectious for 2 days before the spots appear and until the nasty itchy blotches crust over - around 5 days. I've copied this next bit for you from Googling because I know so many teachers who developed shingles after being in contact with young children with chicken pox although so many people say shingles and chicken pox are not related:

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you've had chickenpox, the virus lies inactive in nerve tissue near your spinal cord and brain. Years later, the virus may reactivate as shingles.

Steer clear for at least a week would be my advice - but there again I am not medically qualified to give that advice! Poor little mite - here's hoping she's not too uncomfortable and can stop herself picking!

[Dorisgirl in reply to Calliope153]

Thanks so much both for your advice and concern for the little one. She’s not too uncomfortable at the moment.

[Tiggy56]

I would stay clear as your immune system not 100%. Check with your nurse but having had chicken pox you are vulnerable to shingles

[Dorisgirl in reply to Tiggy56]

Thank you this is definitely the consensus and shingles is not at all fun. I’ll stick to FaceTime contact.

[Routemaster]

My daughter also caught it twice. The second time was after she had had glandular fever and her immune system was low. I think that some of the pills we are prescribed lower our immune system too.

I hope that your granddaughter feels better soon. It is a horrid disease.