chicken pox

[buny993]

hi any one know how long to keep away from people with chicken pox when on or just after

steroids . ps had to look up how to spell chicken on pizza menu those of you who have seen my coments in the past will know its one of my weak spots amongst meny others

[Hidden]

Hi Buny,I have always understood when my kids were young,that they are infectious for 5 days before rash appears,& remains infectious till scabs appear.(about 5-6 days) make sure scabs are dry,as any leaking would be still infectious.Hope this is some help.Happy New Year Wendells xx

[libbygood]

Yes when scabs are dry as Wendells says. Alot of chicken pox about at the moment, it's a very buggy winter, and those poor souls on the cruises with the vomiting virus.

Lib x

[Hidden]

You only need to keep away from people with chickenpox if you haven't had them yourself. If you have then you are immune.

[buny993]

hi thanks but it says on leaflet that could get shingles

[Hidden]

Hi

You can't 'catch' shingles. Having a low immune system can set off shingles but you can't catch them as the virus is already dormant in you from chicken pox. I only know this because my dad has recently had shingles and I asked my consultant as it wasn't clear from the leaflets. The big problem is if you haven't had chickenpox. You can catch it from someone with shingles and its quite dangerous I think. But if you have had chickenpox then you should be fine.

Marie x

[Hidden]

Sorry Marie, but I have to disagree!! My husband got shingles,very badly a few months ago,rash still clearing slowly.One of the grandkids had the chickenpox,when it appeared.My understanding from the Doc. was if you have previously had chickenpox,it would come out as shingles,as the virus is dormant till in contact again.Shingles are not contagious to anyone,unless there is fluid contact from scabs.Hope we can agree to disagree!!

Love Wendells x

[Fusion8d]

I think what doctors say and what actually happens can be very different. You're only supposed to get chicken pox once - I had it three times as a child. My husband had it as a child but caught it from our children and was very poorly. This was probably because he has MS so his immune system is shot, but a lot of drugs can leave you more susceptible as well. I'm on anti rheumatic drugs for arthritis and the advice leaflet specifies that I should stay away from anyone with chicken pox and to go to A&E if I suspect I have it.

I've rambled on a bit but what I'm trying to say is that a combination of chronic illness and medications can mean that you don't respond in a 'typical' way. As steroids lower the immune response they would come into this category. Either way buny993, I hope you stay clear of it!

Beth xx

[Hidden]

Apologies.