Chicken pox and biologics?

[Domhem]

Anyone able to give me any advice please? Bit of a strange one, a child in my daughters class has chicken pox (she’s 4). My daughter has had it so I’m not concerned about her bringing it home (I wasn’t on biologics then). However, I’m taking my daughter to a birthday party on Saturday with lots of her school friends and I’m thinking is that a good idea for me to attend? (Bearing in mind some of them may not know they have it/or are contagious). I had it as a child and know I have antibodies as I had to have a blood test when I was pregnant as my daughter caught it then and they were concerned so tested me. I’m also on pred but I’m guessing it’s the biologic that would be of concern. This has also made me wonder if I should vaccinate my 2 year old, I don’t really want to but from what I’ve read it seems it is advised. If anyone has any advice would be most appreciated! Thank you

[Hidden]

With the usual caveat that I’m not medically qualified, my understanding is that as long as you have immunity, then there is no additional risk from chickenpox whilst taking a biologic. The same with pred: from experience, they only get concerned if you definitely haven’t had varicella or if you’re not sure if you’ve had it, and you fall into the high dose/long term use category. My daughter has a lung condition periodically requiring high dose steroids, and despite my best efforts had never had chickenpox at a younger age, so she was vaccinated at 11 to reduce the risk going forward. The link to the green book chapter on varicella (including broad definition of who is high risk) is:

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Under the guidelines that exist, my understanding is that your youngest wouldn’t be eligible for vaccination on the NHS if you know from prior testing that you’ve definitely got immunity.

[Domhem in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for this, all makes sense and is also very reassuring, I’m not on 40mg per day so wouldn’t fall into high dose pred category either. Sorry to hear about your daughter and thank you again for your reply, very informative

[helixhelix]

Agree with Charlie. If you know you have antibodies then there should be no problem. But of course should it happen, at the first sign head straight to your doctor for an anti-viral shot.

[Domhem in reply to helixhelix]

Great thank you, yes I know I definitely have them, they had to test as I was pregnant and on steroids so they had to make sure. Thank you and yes if I do start to feel unwell I’ll go straight to my GP!

[bpeal1]

I was on Rituximab when my son got chickenpox. I was told as long as I knew I had had it as a child not to worry.

[Domhem in reply to bpeal1]

Great, thank you! Put my mind at rest

[ruth_p]

I’m a reception class teacher and on biologic medication and have been in contact with children who have had chickenpox lots of times over the years and I’ve never caught it. I had it as a child too. You should be fine.

[Domhem in reply to ruth_p]

Great, thanks so much, definitely had it so great! Thank you again

[Gilliancheche]

Glad you asked this as I am about to start on a biologic and regularly look after grandchildren. I have been worrying what to do about chicken pox but I had it as a teenager and was very poorly so have no doubt I have had it already.

[Domhem in reply to Gilliancheche]

It’s a minefield with biologics but this group is so helpful!

[Green230461]

I was on humira jab for ten years and it was great. I caught shingles and my humira jab stopped working. Rheummy team seemed to think there was a connection. Give your team a ring they may have even more info on it now and they will definitely be able to give good advice. Enjoy the kiddies!