Shingles!

[isabella2015]

Can anyone tell me about avoiding people with shingles please. My friend was diagnosed with shingles in November shortly gave up the painkillers as they didn’t suit her and says that the pain is much less. She has invited me to the cinema tomorrow, is it safe to go??? Thank you in advance for any reply

[SheffieldJane]

I’ve got a feeling it’s contagious, so maybe no hugging kissing or touching. It is pretty nasty for us though. It is actually the fluid from the blisters that spreads shingles and once the blisters have crusted over they are no longer infectious. She should cover up. I won’t make the joke about the circle and the stalls as a seating arrangement. It will cheer you both up. I just saw “The Favourite” it was really good.

[isabella2015 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Sheffieldjane thank you very much, dying to know the joke about the circle and stalls,!! Haven’t seen Favourite - Mexico and lesbians?

[HeronNS]

If you have had chicken pox you already harbour the virus which causes shingles and contact with someone who has it should not affect you. My understanding is if you haven't had chicken pox you can only catch the virus via shingles if you have actual contact with an open lesion, but you cannot catch shingles, you catch chicken pox.

[isabella2015 in reply to HeronNS]

THankyou Heron !

[Munchkin01 in reply to HeronNS]

Hello, new to the site and was just looking through posts for more information /education.

My daughter had severe chicken pox as a child and has had shingles 2X as an adult.

[Hidden]

Well Done HeronNS it always confuses me but l try keep my distance from anyone with Chicken Pox or Shingles!

[HeronNS in reply to Hidden]

There's no record of my ever having had chicken pox so I avoid contact if I'm aware of the possibility. That being said, two of my three children had CP at different times, the third never had a visible case so perhaps he and I had subclinical cases? My doctor was very annoyed with me for not getting the Shingrix vaccine but I thought that a bad idea all things considered. Previously I wouldn't let my husband get the live vaccine, Zostavax.

[Hidden in reply to HeronNS]

My darling boys gave me CP the youngest one was a baby & the oldest was only 3 so l definitely know I’ve had it but still just to be sure l avoid contact if at all possible.

How’s things at the house?

[piglette]

Have you had chicken pox? I would have thought your friend is no longer contagious if she had shingles in November. It is only catching if you have not had chicken pox when it would develop as chicken pox. If you have had chicken pox you already have the virus asleep inside you anyway.

[isabella2015]

THankyou yet again Piglette xxx

[SnazzyD]

Hello, shingles is only contagious to those who haven’t had chickenpox and even then it is the liquid from the blisters that’s the problem, not airborne like CP. Shingles is contagious when the blisters are full of liquid which is about the first 7 days and you’d need direct contact even then. November’s infection should be healed by now even if it still hurts.

britishskinfoundation.org.u...

[isabella2015 in reply to SnazzyD]

ThankyouSnazzyD!

[Pongo13]

I have recurring shingles on my arm. I cover up. No family member has ever caught from me, including the hub. However as soon as the kids catch chicken pox at work, I know I'm going to get shingles 9 out of 10 times!

[Sandradsn]

I've had shingles for 3 weeks now, the rash is all dried up so not contagious but still painful.People have stayed away from me like I have the plague!

[Jackoh in reply to Sandradsn]

Yes I understand that Sandradsn. I haven’t gone today to the home that my mum lives in. I can’t give anybody anything, I know I’m not infectious but all the old ladies there think I am so I’m just keeping away for another week to keep the peace. 😜

[isabella2015 in reply to Sandradsn]

That helpful thanku

[isabella2015 in reply to Sandradsn]

Well now I’m being educated by you all I won’t be so concerned,

[Jackoh]

Yes agree entirely with Snazzy. I had shingles develop last week so have really investigated it all so I can inform others. Some believe me others don’t!! 😜 x

[moskin]

Why did you refuse the vaccination it’s a good thing to have

[HeronNS in reply to moskin]

I assume you mean this reply for me? Shingles vaccines are not indicated for people who have never had chicken pox.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to moskin]

The original shingles vaccine is contraindicated for us - one of its own listed adverse effects is PMR.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Did she have a rash? Is it scabbed over? Is it just the leftover nerve pain she has now?

If the answer to all of the above is Yes, nothing to worry about.

[isabella2015]

I think I over-reacte I didn’t accept her kind invitations!

[RubyKitty]

I’ve just been diagnosed today with shingles on my scalp and have started a one-week course of aciclovir. It first appeared six days ago and was initially thought to be folliculitis (a bacterial infection) so I was prescribed flucloxicillin. My doctor has advised me only to avoid direct contact with others and not to share towels at the moment. I’m fine for going to work (in an office environment) as soon as I feel up to it. The main issue I have just now is the pain and the fatigue - I’ve been given paracetamol (in the States I think it’s called acetaminophen) and 30mg codeine for the pain, which is making the tiredness even worse, but I think I’ll be back at work on Monday.

As some people have indicated in this thread, I expect some colleagues will be avoiding me. I too would’ve previously avoided anyone with shingles, so I’m not complaining. However, according to my doctor, there’s nothing to stop me being with other people.

I just with this really weird pain would go!