My child has chicken pox, I've had it as a child

So I'm assuming I'm ok? I have searched the search box but now more confused than ever! I am on enbrel.

Thank you

[hatshepsut]

Your risk is shingles. You have to have had chicken pox to get it You need to contact your gp. M x

[Hidden in reply to hatshepsut]

Thank you, I'll bring in the morning. I trust the advice here more than my gp!

[cathie]

I think you need to watch out for shingles. Can you talk to gp? That's the last thing you need with embrel. Xx

[Hidden in reply to cathie]

Thanks Cathie, I will do. Hate to be negative but GP is quite dismissive, I feel like I'm over reacting whenever I go!

[cathie in reply to Hidden]

You're not. I know two people who have had shingles and its no joke. It can go on for ages and is quite painful. And would mightily disrupt your RA treatment I think. I asked my GP and she looked into getting the vaccine but you can pay for it privately (like the flu one I assume). But I think you'd have to have a gap with the biologic. I would ask the pharmacist too.

[nomoreheels]

If you've had chickenpox you are at risk if you haven't been vaccinated. Until the blisters have crusted over (up to14 days) you should avoid contact, including contact with pj's & any clothes, sheets, towels, anything your child's blisters have been in contact with whilst still weeping. Be aware it can also be tranferred by sneezing & coughing too. This is from the NHS choices website" People who have Enbrel must be careful to avoid exposure to chicken pox infections whenever possible. If you have been exposed to chickenpox during treatment with Enbrel you must get immediate medical advice." x

[Hidden in reply to nomoreheels]

Thanks, that's what I wasn't sure about and wrongly assumed couldn't catch it! Can't avoid her though, she's a permanent fixture

[Kathyfitz12 in reply to Hidden]

There is a blood test you can hsvevto test if younhsve the right anti bodies against shingles.

Ask you practice nurse - they are usually more au fait with blood tests than the GP,

Kathy

[cathie]

I asked GP about the shingles vaccine which is only available on NHS if you're over 70 I think. But I think you have to be off biologics to take it. These things are SO COMPLICATED

[hatshepsut]

Glad you're going to contact your gp. Trust me, you don't want shingles, I've had it twice. If your gp is dismissive, refer them to the enbrel or NHS website.

Hope you keep well! M x

[Someonesmother]

Go to your GP you need some antivirals.

[Hidden]

I'm going to be starting up a first time new biologic so I have to get the shingles vaccination. Mayo clinic is making me do it. I don't recall having to do this several years ago when I started taking Humira or Simponi... I had a 2 year break or more from any biologics.. so I will hope that shingles will stay far away. I can start my new drug one day later.

[Hidden]

Hi williby,

I have put the link to the NHS website section on shingles below for you. It has a lot of information on it:

nhs.uk/Conditions/Shingles/...

regards

Beverley (NRAS Helpline)