My grandfather has shingles. He's not sure if it is contagious or not, but he is coming over to exchange Christmas presents. I, being a "germaphob", and FREAKING OUT because I can't get sick, especially now. My mom says I won't get it if I stay in my room while he's here. But when I come out, he could have touched something and I can get the disease, right? I've never had chicken pox, and a HAVE had the vaccination. (10 years ago I had it) Can I get shingles?
2006-12-26 05:35:06 · 9 answers · asked by DisneyIsForLovers 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
I am NOT an adult.
2006-12-26 11:47:33 · update #1
Because you've been vaccinated for Chicken pox, you've technically already had Chicken Pox. So I'd say you're in the clear. Your body had the immunity it needs, so don't worry about it too much (stress can cause shingles).
Shingles is a skin rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. The virus responsible for these conditions is called Varicella zoster. After an individual has chickenpox, this virus lives in the nerves and is never fully cleared from the body. Under certain circumstances, such as emotional stress, immune deficiency (from AIDS or chemotherapy) or with cancer, the virus re- activates causing shingles. In most cases, however, a cause for the reactivation of the virus is never found. The herpes virus that causes shingles and chicken pox is not the same as the herpes virus that causes genital herpes (which can be sexually transmitted) and herpes mouth sores. Shingles is medically termed Herpes zoster.
Shingles can be spread from an affected person to children or adults who have not had chickenpox. Instead of developing shingles, these people develop chickenpox. Once they have had chickenpox, people cannot catch shingles (or contract the virus) from someone else. Once infected, however, persons have the potential to develop shingles later in life
2006-12-26 05:44:30 · answer #1 · answered by Aurora M 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
You won't get shingles unless you have had chicken pox. Chicken pox virus lives in the spine once it has been contracted. For adults who have had the virus and are immunocompromised either by stress or other illness it releases the changed form of the virus back into the system causing shingles. You are more likely to get chicken pox if you are around him though as you haven't had them before. Don't hug or kiss him until all the blisters are cleared up.
2006-12-26 05:39:38 · answer #2 · answered by Sissy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
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2016-04-30 10:15:32 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is possible that you could get shingles, but I would think you'd be more likely to get them if exposed to chicken pox or a young child who just had his vaccinations as this is probably where Grandpa got his shingles. I had shingles when I was 17 years old from being exposed to kids with chicken pox even though I had already had them. I think I would call my doctor just to be sure, but I'd say you are as safe with Grandpa as you would be going to the mall or grocery store with a bunch of kids wandering around and putting their hands on everything or breathing your way. What the heck! Go give the old guy a hug and then go to your room!!! Godloveya!
2006-12-26 10:01:24 · answer #4 · answered by Sassy OLD Broad 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
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2016-08-31 20:17:26 · answer #5 · answered by Tommie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can get shingles. It's in the herpies family along with the Pox. It's a form of C.P. but different.
If the shingles site is dry and crused over you are okay. But if they are open, wet, weaping, or blistered over you can get them. If you are really worried about getting C.P. have your tiders checked to make sure you have enough of the vaccine in your system. Your doc can do that for you with a blood test.
Make sure though if there is anyone pregnant to STAY AWAY from him. The virus can retard the baby!!!
I'm a nurse and pregnant. And am not allowed to take care of those pts with it!!!
2006-12-28 05:41:16 · answer #6 · answered by jhurd731 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't really catch shingles. You might pick up the virus from him, but your immune system ought to clear it. Shingles isn't just "chicken pox in adults", there is something in the pathogensis of the virus emerging from dormancy in the host genome that results in shingles, instead of just plain old chicken pox.
For anecdotal evidence: my uncle got chicken pox when he was in his 40s. he picked up the virus from some place, but because of it's transmission it caused chicken pox. if the virus emerges in his body in the future, it should be the much more unpleasent "shingles" version of the infection.
2006-12-27 04:59:28 · answer #7 · answered by John V 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
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2016-10-08 02:08:10 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can still get infected even though you've been vaccinated. No vaccination is 100% effective, if it's been 10 years (I didn't think there was a chicken pox vaccine 10 years ago though) you probably need a booster.
2006-12-26 11:34:34 · answer #9 · answered by me 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no you cannot get the shingles. shingles are chicken pox that just resurfaced years later. your vaccination is the key.
2006-12-26 06:19:19 · answer #10 · answered by REALLY 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋