Azathioprine and chicken pox

[Jessie_2014]

Hi all.

I am on azathiaprine and prednisolone. I am due to spend Christmas with family including my baby nephew who has come down with chicken pox!

I have heard that it is very dangerous to be around chicken pox when on immunosuppressants. Is this true? I've had chicken pox myself as a child . Does this make a difference?

I'd value any help or advice! Thank you

[Shorthouse]

You need to phone 111 they will help you .i do know you can get c pox more than oncexx

[whisperit]

Hello Jessie_2014

It's quite a complicated answer!

First, yes, if your immune system in suppressed with aza, should you get chicken pox it is likely to be a severe version of it. You should do all you can to avoid contact with an infectious case.

But if you have had chicken pox in childhood, you will already have the chicken pox virus in your system and antibodies against it. It never goes away completely, but is rendered dormant by your antibody response and has to hide quietly in your nervous system for years. Often it never gets the chance to reappear. Shingles is usually caused when our immune system dips and the old chicken pox virus is able to re-emerge. So your chance of getting shingles rises if you are on an immune suppressant even if you are not in contact with someone carrying the virus!

There is a small chance that your childhood chicken pox did not provoke a very strong immune response and so you may not have the normal immunity - this seems to be unusual though. But in any case, it is hard to be certain that you are immune - so it's about deciding what level of risk you are willing to go with.

Your nephew will no longer be infectious if his spots have scabbed over (usually after about 5 days), but of course, other members of his family may be infected without yet knowing it.

All in all, it might be worth having a discussion with your GP about it! x

[Sarahjj87]

Hi

My daughter has just had chicken pocs, am on many drugs for lupus so was also very worried.

I phoned my lupus doctors and as long as you have had chicken pocs before you are fine. If you haven’t then you may need an injection.

Hope this helps, have a good Xmas

Sarah x

[AndrewT]

Dear Jessie_2014,

To be 'Safe', and not to RISK anything....Couldn't Uncle Jessie go round, to see his new Nephew, in the New Year? The child will be more Responsive anyway plus, Mum, Dad and everyone else won't be 'Fretting' about the Babe.

In answer to your question, regarding Immune Suppression and Chicken Pox, I was always told to 'Avoid Contact Completely'. However I don't have Lupus, I have Vasculitis, perhaps a slightly 'Different Animal'.

I really would, and please DO explain ALL to your family, AVOID contact. After all, if you DID contact Chicken Pox and become VERY unwell..... See them, in the New Year Jessie.

In the mean time, Have a Happy, Healthy- Chicken Pox free- Christmas.

AndrewT

[Joy_1]

Hi Jessie

When I was on Aza I was told by my Rheumatologist to avoid those with chicken pox.

Joy

[whiteyswifey]

Hi Jessie I am on azathioprine too and 2 of my family members have had chicken pox this year so I had to contact my GP for advice. If you have had chicken pox as previously stated you should have these antibodies but this would need to be confirmed via a blood test. If you have had one recently your doctor should be able to reassure you with a phone call. Hope it helps x