Shingles?

[Seagu11]

Meeting a friend for lunch,she is recovering from shingles ,should I keep my distance?

Also been offered vaccine ,is it safe if you have G.CA.?

[SnazzyD]

Hello,

If you’ve had chicken pox you’re fine because it’s already in your body. If you haven’t you could catch it if you came in contact with the liquid in the blisters, not just breathing their air. The blisters are ok once they are crusted up and dry, which is about 7 days after the blister is formed. If on the other hand you had not had chicken pox and your friend had actual chicken pox, you’d be a high risk because it’s air borne. You could also consider, how many other people you’d come in contact with in public who have got hidden shingles that you don’t know about. That wouldn’t stop you going out to lunch.

britishskinfoundation.org.u...

Live vaccines are not given to people considered immunosuppressed and PMR comes up in the small print somewhere in the list of possible side effects in the detailed spec. Vaccines are designed to trigger immune system overdrive so I guess for some it’s a push too far.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SnazzyD]

Hi.

Info about the newer Shingrix vaccine -

Shingrix differs significantly from other vaccines that are made from a weakened form of a virus. It is the first shingles vaccine to combine a non-live antigen with a specifically designed adjuvant. It contains a single protein—glycoprotein E—found in the outer shell of the herpes zoster virus, and an adjuvant to enhance the body's immune response to an antigen. Since Shingrix does not contain a live virus, it may be a good option for immunocompromised patients at high risk for shingles, for whom Zostavax is contraindicated.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Which vaccine? The original shingles vaccine or the new one? And how old are you?

The original vaccine has PMR listed as an adverse event anyway but is also not suitable for anyone with a compromised immune system. The new one has not been tested in patients with autoimmune disorders - and some have expressed some concern as to the effect on a deranged immune system as it has a very strong stimulant effect. The older you are the less effective these vaccines are which may be an added reason to think twice about them.

As for keeping your distance - the other side of the table should be fine! It is said it is almost unheard of that CP has been caught from someone with shingles - and certainly not once the blisters are scabbed over.