Chickenpox and rituximab

[Juliesb]

Hi, I have RA and being treated with rituximab and leflunomide. I am a children's nanny and one of the children possible has chickenpox. I had it as a child but I'm not sure if I should avoid being near it or not. I don't think I've been told this for this treatment but was for my previous biologic.

[Hidden]

Hi. I’d phone your Rheumatology team first thing. If you’ve had it before you shouldn’t get it, but presumably your body will still go into ‘fight mode’ which may affect things.

[vonniesims]

Think there is the risk of getting shingles

[Runrig01]

Normally your team would do a blood test to check you have antibodies from previous exposure. If not they would give a course of acyclovir. It’s more the danger of getting shingles if you’ve previously had chicken pox. Call your team and discuss with them.

[Juliesb]

OK thank you.

[helixhelix]

As others have said, call your team. If you are a nanny and on Rituximab then perhaps you are eligible for Shingrix, a non-live vaccine given as 2 doses, 2 months apart. Ask the,.