Lupus and chickenpox - help

[sarahroly]

Morning lupies,

Woke up this morning only to find my 5 year old son covered in the chickenpox rash.

I am 47 and have lupus

Any advise or anyone know how, or if, chickenpox can affect someone with lupus.

[Purpletop]

If you haven't had it before, let your GP/rheumatologist know as soon as possible, apparently it is important that you do as it affects lupus sufferers more than usual.

[sarahroly]

Thanks purpletop, just waiting for rheumy to call me back x

[cantello]

If you have had chickenpox before you cannot get them again. Shingles is very nasty (I had a severe bout of them in October 2012 and still am having some side effects) but you cannot catch shingles it is from the chickenpox virus that remains in everyone's system that has had chickenpox, no matter at what age. Lupus sufferers are more prone to shingles. People who have not had chickenpox can get chickenpox from someone with shingles so it is important to stay away from people like this and keep any blisters covered. Hope this helps

[MrsB2nd in reply to cantello]

I work in a children's day nursery (I know, one of the worst places to work for a Lupie! ) and chicken pox is going round again. One of the children has had chicken pox for a second time Cantello.

I have had measles twice too, both bad outbreaks. Once aged 4 and again aged 22.

( was born before the days of the vaccination).

[poole_odyssey]

Hello - do not want to be the bearer of bad news, I have had chickenpox 5 times, however the last couple of times I have been around children with chicken pox and an adult with shingles I thankfully did not get a re-ocurrence of chicken pox. Took me a little longer than the estimated 2 weeks recovery but I was not terrible with it.

Fingers crossed you will not suffer with either and hope your son recovers quickly

xx

[tiredmum]

Hi there, my son had chicken pox twice and my daughter recently had shingles. I contacted my rheumy nurse who gave me a blood test to see if I was immune or not. Thankfully i was, but she was prepared to give me some antibiotics just in case.