Limited vasculitus I

[foweraker]

Hi there all.

Im throwing a party tomorrow and my neice has informed me she has shingles on the end stages of the illness. She is worried about passing the disease onto me if she comes

she has been informed not to mix with people with low immune systems..

Has anyone had experience of shingles and its possible affects on people with vasculitis?

Thanks allxx

[PMRpro]

Experts say it is next to impossible to catch CP from someone with shingles. It requires contact with the fluid in the blisters, shingles patients do not shed the virus in droplet form as CP patients do. No hugs should be enough protection, especially if she is at the end.

[foweraker in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your reply but what does CP mean ?

[PMRpro in reply to foweraker]

Chicken pox. You can't catch shingles - you can only develop it if you have had chicken pox when younger. It is a reactivation of the same virus. As Viv says, in theory you can catch chicken pox from someone with shingles but it is very very unlikely.

[vivdunstan Volunteer]

I’ve had shingles twice (once right now!) and chickenpox, all when immunosuppressed.

The risk from shingles is that you could catch chickenpox, even if you’ve had it before. This can kill immunosuppressed adults. You can’t catch shingles from anyone else.

But as PMRpro says the risk of catching chickenpox is very small from shingles. Once the lesions have crusted over there shouldn’t be liquid coming out that could infect you. Even before then if the rash can be fully covered up you are probably safe, so long as there is no direct contact. Yes shingles is not nearly as infectious as chickenpox.

I’d suggest your niece can come, but avoid direct contact. Also check first if her spots have crusted over.

Enjoy your party!

[foweraker in reply to vivdunstan]

Thanks guys, I really wanted my neice to come along, So I will invite her xx

[AndrewT]

Dear foweraker,

I too was, very Worried, when my own Father had Shingles a year, or so, ago. My Consultant, Dr Andi from Ipswich Hospital, told me that 'Normal' contact was completely Safe.

I think that, if you, remain at a 'Social' distance you should be fine....Just DON'T give her Kisses, and, Cuddles hard though that that might be. Perhaps explain this, over the 'phone, before you leave- DO go though.

Enjoy yourself, Love to you both.

AndrewT