Chicken pox

[Staywildmoonchild]

Hi everyone, I hope that you are all well.

I have RA and Sjogrens plus some other medical conditions including type 2 diabetes. My granddaughters, aged 1 and 3 are in nursery, and as usual at this time of year, chicken pox is doing the rounds.

The thing is I've not had chicken pox. Well i may of had it as i only had 1 spot at the same time my sister had it whereas my other sister had nothing. So I was either incredibly lucky with just 1 or it was coincidental 😁

Anyway, I'm wondering if I should stay away from the girls (sad) if they catch them.....or will it be ok? Whether I have had the lucky 1 spot or not had it at all?

Sorry if it sounds daft but my daughter wanted me to check 🤗

Thanks in advance 🙏 😊

[AgedCrone]

Ask your rheumy nurse - there is a test…but I don,t know the criteria to get it.

[ruth_p]

That’s a good question, I would say stay away as you haven’t had it. But as aged crone said check with your rheumatologist or GP

[Sheila_G]

I would definitely stay away. If you haven't had it , it is a much worse illness if you get it when you are older and if you have had it you can get shingles. Sorry to be so negative but better safe than sorry and will only be a couple of weeks at the most.

[janmary]

Did your son or daughter not have it when young? You would have caught it then? Ask for antibody test - or stay away! It’s infectious before the pox appear.

[Gilliancheche]

Sadly I think you need to stay away. Check with you rheumatologist team. Difficult when I am sure you want to see your family but they don't want you to be sick that won't help anyone.

[Purple-rose]

I used to work in a school and was told by my gp and rheumatologist not to go to work when there was chicken pox around. I had the antibody test and was told I had chicken pox when I was younger but I could get it again or end up with shingles. If it was me I would stay away.

[aliplayspiano]

I would say stay away. My twin granddaughters both had chicken pox a few weeks ago. I have definitely had it as I caught it off my daughter when she had it as a child and I felt really rough with it. We decided it was better if I just kept clear to be safe. Turned out to be a good call as in the middle of it all they all got covid!

[trunchalobesity]

I’ve had chicken pox but am on biologic and immunosuppressant mycophenolate so chicken pox is a no no.

Also chicken pox while mild in children can even be fatal in adults who haven’t had it as it can get in the lungs.

So I would advise caution x

[Haz58]

My 3 year old granddaughter got it a couple of months ago. My Rheumy nurse said stay away and stop taking my methotrexate for 2 - 3 weeks. Ive had chickenpox twice as a kid and I’ve had shingles.

[Staywildmoonchild]

Good morning everyone. Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. 🤗

I contacted my rheumy nurse and they said that they aren't too concerned as I'm only on hydroxychloroquine and nothing stronger. She said that tests are carried out on patients to see if they are immune to chicken pox but the test is only done on other drugs such as methotrexate.

Thanks once again 💚

[Green230461]

I caught shingles from young family members! Speak to your gp and ask advice Hope your little ones get better soon🌻

[Angels54]

I would stay away for now 👍

[Blackberrywine]

You could ask your GP to test you to see if you've had it. I had test a couple of years ago to check.

[Fruitandnutcase]

I would definitely stay away. Apart from your RA and Sjorgens you could be really I’ll if you catch it as an adult. A friend caught it from a child in her class and she was so I’ll - as she put it she had spots in places you couldn’t imagine ever getting spots. It really isn’t something you would ever want to have - no matter how much you love and miss the grand daughters. I’m pretty sure they are more infectious before the spots actually come out. Still worth speaking to your rheumy nurse though.