Shingles

[linnieh]

Hi lovely people,just asking if I should be worried with my little grandson having shingles.?He had chicken pox last year. I have had chickenpox as a child(many many years ago!). I take pred and MTX. Do I need to stay away from my little darling and for how long?Thanks guys x x

[she100]

hi, i also have RA, i work as a home carer, one of my clients had shingles,i was a bit worried so asked my doctor if it was ok to still go to this client, the doc said it would be ok..hope this helps...

[linnieh]

Thankyou x

[Judi]

Hi, two years ago I caught shingles and found out too late that there is an injection, if giiven early, can shorten the life of shingles. That being said, I found calamine lotion did work if a wadge of calamine soaked cotton wool was held on each patch of shingles for a few seconds. Before I found this out I had just been brushing it over them.

Hope your grandson is soon over them and you manage to not get them

Jud xxxxxxxxx

[oldtimer]

It depends whether you have had chickenpox yourself. If you have, then you are probably OK as you will have your own antibodies against the chickenpox virus.

However, in some people, especially if they had chickenpox mildly or a very long time ago, may have low levels of antibodies - their resistance will have gone down and they may be at risk.

The infectious time is when the virus is actually in the fluid filled spots. Once they are scabbed over, it should be OK, but with your reduced immunity with pred & MTX take care!

If you do get shingles, see your doc immediately, even if as an emergency and get anti-viral treatment.

[Jane06]

You can't actually 'catch' shingles. The virus re-appears at times of low immunity or stress in someone who has had Chicken Pox in the past. It comes from 'within you', if you like, rather than from someone else. If you have never had chicken pox, then you will get that first if you are in contact with someone who has it. It is most infectious before the spots appear. Shingles can only reappear at some later time. I think this is right - I ought to know as I have been a children's nurse for many years (doesn't guarantee it though)!

Jane.

[linnieh in reply to Jane06]

Thank you.....very helpful x

[Kathyfitz12]

I had to have a blood test to make sure I had immunity before I went on to MTX.I'd have a word with the RA Nurse if I were you..Kathy

[Beth58]

Hi

I'm on Leflunomide, we're told we must avoid contact with Chicken Pox and Shingles as it can become very serious.

When I was in contact my GP rang the Rheumy team and I had to go into the monitoring unit for blood test to check I had antibodies (which I did),

However, if you have very little or no immunity you'll given an injection of Immunoglobulin Varicella to boost immunity to the virus.

Speak to your doctor or Rheumy team who can test your immunity to the Chicken Pox virus.

Beth x

[linnieh]

Thanks guys....as always very helpful. Take care x

[helixhelix]

I'm with Beth on this one, treat it seriously and stay away from grandson. May be hard, but better than risk as shingles can be quite serious for us. Don't want to scare you, but shingles can even permanently affect your eyesight. And if you have been exposed than go and get checked ASAP so can get the immunoglobulin if you need it - but that has to be given quite quickly. Pollyx