I had chickenpox when a kid; I'm on methotrexate now; can I get shingles?

[magschultz]

[Hidden]

HI Mags,

you may only contract shingles if you are in contact with someone who has chicken pox and that is no different from anyone else, however, because you may have a reduced immune system then you just have to be careful and avoid if and when you know, as you have to be with all things

hope this helps

Katie

[SueB in reply to Hidden]

Hi Mags

Once you have had chicken pox the virus stays hidden in your body and can activate when you are rundown etc. you cannot catch shingles from chicken pox, but if you have active shingles you can give chicken pox to others ( as explained to me by my GP when I had shingles) if you do think you have shingles go to the GP quickly as if they catch it in the first few days they can give you anti.- viral drugs.

[Hidden in reply to SueB]

Hi - shingles is activated by the chicken pox virus

Katie

[caroline777]

Hi Sue

Iv'e just had Shingles. The Chickenpox virus stays dormant in your body once you have had the disease and can be triggered by some factors - ie stress or a compromised immune system (shich most of us have). You can pass this on as Chicken Pox to a child who has not yet had the disease. You cannot pass Shingles on to anyone and you cannot catch Shingles from another person who has it. I work with vulnerable elderley so quizzed my GP. I was given anti-viral medication and it seems to have worked quite well.

Keep well!

Caroline