Chickenpox...

[laidbackreader]

I have been on azathioprine pretty much continuously for nine years. During that time I'd had shingles twice...the second episode was pretty horrible.

My beautiful 8 -month old granddaughter has just been diagnosed with chickenpox. How long do I need to stay away from her to avoid another shingles outbreak?

Thanks in advance.

[PaulBingham]

Hi laid back reader,

Medicals will not necessarily agree with me, but my advice is to stay well away until she has ceased to be contagious. I faced the same issue with 3 of my grandchildren and opted to stay away, even though it twinged the heartstrings a little.

Keep smiling

Paul

[laidbackreader]

Thanks Paul.

Yes, I am missing my cuddles with her but how long does the contagious stage last? She was diagnosed by the doctor this afternoon and the spots are still coming out thick and fast. She even has them in her mouth, poor little one.

[vivdunstan Volunteer]

The contagious stage lasts until her spots dry up and crust over. You need to stay away. You could develop chickenpox again, which can be life-threatening for immunosuppressed people.

I never had chickenpox as a child, and caught it, newly immunosuppressed, aged just 24. I was rushed to hospital, and put in isolation, on anti-viral drips for a week. I was told I was lucky to have got there in time - and I rushed there! I've no idea who I caught it from: most likely someone with shingles out and about who had no idea how contagious that is too - it can give people chickenpox who've never had it, or sometimes chickenpox a second time.

You cannot catch shingles from someone with chickenpox. Shingles is when the virus in your body reactivates, and that is confined to a single nerve route (I had shingles a few years ago). But you do run the risk of catching chickenpox again, and that could kill you.

Please be very very careful.

[barneyboy]

Like the others say, the contagious stage last until the spots all crust over. Takes about a week. Our young son recently had chicken pox. My husband has been on azathioprine for 6 years and is immunosuppressed. He has not had any problems, and was in very close contact with our very spotty son. You cannot catch shingles from chicken pox.

Better to be safe then sorry though - take care...

[laidbackreader]

Thanks for all your very helpful replies. I feel much better informed now. I really value the support and information available here. Thanks again to those who do all the hard work behind the scenes.

[JaneLE Administrator]

Hi, I have a two year old and had no choice but to stay with her with Chickenpox. My GP was really supportive and blood tested me as soon as we knew she had it and then about a week after the spots dried up just to check everything was normal - no problems occurred. I have MPA and am on Azathioprine. Good luck

[AndrewT]

Dear laidbackreader,

I was told not to go anywhere chickenpox, or it could kill me! In case of accidental contact, go straight to my doctor and get 'anti-viral's immediately. Sorry to be a 'scare-monger' but better safe than sorry. Your circumstances could well be different to mine, but is it worth the risk?

Make it up to your granddaughter, in three months time!

Once again sorry.

AndrewT

[cambs13]

Chickenpox when contagious is spread through coughing and sneezing, whereas Shingles has to be direct contact with open spots. That's been my understanding.