CHICKEN POX

[jtrp]

In the context of steering clear of any infections & virus's, has anyone any experience of the risks (or views) to a IGA Vasculitis (HSP) patient in remission, of being with person just diagnosed with Chicken Pox (long awaited visiting Grandkids!).

[jtrp]

Forget to say, no treatment/medication that surprises Immune system in this case.

[vivdunstan Volunteer]

We have a comprehensive advice document about chickenpox in the Vasculitis UK Facebook page. But the key concern is for immunosuppressed people. If your immune system is working normally I would have thought you shouldn't be at increased risk. You may still catch chickenpox, but it shouldn't be as serious as for an immunosuppressed person, and I doubt you'd need to take special precautions. If you do come out in a rash though, please contact a medic for advice promptly, to be on the safe side.

Our chickenpox document is in the Vasculitis UK Facebook group at

facebook.com/groups/Vasculi...

but you have to be a member of that group, and logged into Facebook, to see it.

[vivdunstan Volunteer in reply to vivdunstan]

P.S. I had chickenpox as an immunosuppressed vasculitis patient in 1998, and then shingles following from it in 2010. So this is a particular knowledge area for me!

[jtrp in reply to vivdunstan]

Thank you for your reply. Don't use Facebook regularly, so I've just joined the group and am waiting access from Admin team! I agree with your logic. Do you know if this particular combination of circumstances is in the document?

We have a flight pick up at 6.00am tomorrow en route to see our Grandkids. 1 has Chicken Pox symptoms, but is only at GP tomorrow! We will delay flight if we can.

I'm also interested in the variable factors and am concerned about anything that could trigger a full blown return, especially as we are at the two year point when lots of HSP patients appear to suffer again.

Even though in remission, my wife has elevated IGA, trace protein & blood in urine, ongoing bleeds & occasional low WBC and Liver excursions. Her WBC has been borderline since illness hospitalised her in July 16 with Kidney issues (loose of protein and reduced GFR). In June 2017 an Immunologist gave her an Menotorix injection to boost HiB antibodies. Tests showed increased allergies and low Mannose binding lectin & low Hip antibodies. I don't understand this, other than without the injection it left her vulnerable to some infections/Virus's. Follow up tests then gave her the all clear (on this point).

[FYI - we were advised (DR Nina Brown) not to get Shingles Vaccine (or any live bacteria Vaccines) but get Flu & Pneumonia (and I've seen your previous posts on this issue)].

[vivdunstan Volunteer in reply to jtrp]

No, your scenario is not in there, and the document focuses on immunosuppressed people, because that is the big risk. People who are not immunosuppressed shouldn't be at increased risk of complications.

With an auto immune disease there is always a concern that an infection might trigger a relapse. But that could happen with anything, from a cold through flu or whatever. Chickenpox is particularly dangerous for immunosuppressed people, who are at a much higher risk of complications. So that's what the document focuses on.

[Tiss]

I have my grandson every weekend so was exposed to him prior to and during chicken pox. I wasn't aware until he turned up so had to call 111 the advice they gave was if you have had chicken pox yourself then you should have the antibodies, but as I am on immunosuppressants I had to go for a blood test at the hospital in case I needed anti virals.

Enjoy seeing you grandchildren x

[BronteM]

In a similar situation I was advised to get a blood test and see if I still had the chickenpox antibodies-I did, and I was fine.

But I’ve also had shingles while immunosuppressed and can assure you that that wasn’t fun and took a very long time to recover from.

[jtrp]

Thank you all for your comments.

Just got news that our Grandchild has Impetigo (Streptococci A family) & not Chicken Pox. As we were told Strap A was a probable trigger (upper respiratory infection) for the start of the Vasculitis, we have stopped our trip and re-arranged.

[HallJackie123]

You can have a blood test to show whether or not you have immunity.