shingles question

[Abcd123455]

Hi, just wondered how dangerous it would be to if I were to come into contact with someone with shingles? My disabled daughter who lives in supported living has shingles and I’m due to see her soon. I’m now on 6mg prednisone- am I less compromised as it’s a lower dose? Thanks

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Did you have chicken pox as a child? If so the virus will be dormant in your body -and may be reactivated and your are in danger of getting shingles

see this from FAQs -

Shingles - All Topics You cannot get shingles from someone with shingles or chickenpox.But you can get chickenpox from someone with shingles if you have not had chickenpox before.

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Abcd123455 in reply to DorsetLady]

yes I did have chicken pox as a child. I’ll read the link, thanks

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Abcd123455]

have edited reply as links may not have gone through on original reply. If you have an issue look at FAQs-there’s a lot on shingles

[Abcd123455 in reply to DorsetLady]

thanks I copied and pasted 😀

[jinasc]

I suggest you contact your GP and explain the position - it is possible you could have the shingles protection before you visit your daughter.

[Abcd123455]

thanks I’ll have a chat with gp

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Practically speaking, probably not at all. You can't catch shingles - there is a remote chance you could possibly develop chicken pox if you haven't had it before but ONLY if you were in very close contact with the person and exposed to the fluid in their blisters. It is also possible that if you have had CP, the CP virus in your body could be reactivated to cause shingles.

If you were to cuddle your daughter, rubbing the blisters and breaking them so you have contact with the fluid. that could present a risk, but once the rash has crusted over, the patient is no longer contagious.

health.ny.gov/diseases/comm...

[Abcd123455 in reply to PMRpro]

that is great to hear. I’ll check with her and support staff and if not crusted over will just not touch the area affected. Thanks again

[HeronNS in reply to Abcd123455]

When you do get the shingles vaccination make sure it is Shingrix not Zostavax. Zostavax is made from live virus. Shingrix the virus is inactivated, therefore safer. Also Shingrix creates a much stronger and longer lasting immune response and is more effective in older individuals than Zostavax.

[Abcd123455]

will chat to gp and go from there. Good to know which to ask for. I did read about it before but couldn’t remember and am so grateful for everyone’s advice & knowledge 🌼

[MaritimeMags]

A reminder, if you think you have Shingles (and I had it with my PMR) contact GP straightaway. There is a treatment which, reportedly, will only work if taken within the first day or so of diagnosis. 🙂

[HeronNS in reply to MaritimeMags]

Some places pharmacists are now authorised to prescribe that antiviral or whatever it is which helps shorten duration and severity of a shingles attack. Think this is a result of difficulty getting to see primary care physicians in a timely manner.