My stepmother has shingles. I have never had chicken pox before. I am 15 weeks pregnant. Can I celebrate Christmas in the same house as her? Should I stay away from her? By the way, she will not be cooking anything.
2007-12-24 14:20:48 · 8 answers · asked by B 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
The short answer to this is yes.
Although shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox (and this is a disease to be avoided in pregnancy), shingles is not caught, but is due to a reactivation of the herpes zoster virus that has been lying dormant in the nerve tissue of someone who has had chicken pox in the past.
With shingles, the virus is not shed into the atmosphere, as it is with chicken pox, so you cannot catch it by being in the same room with someone who has shingles.
This is quite unlike chicken pox, where you can catch it by breathing in virus particles excreted by an infected person.
In theory the virus could be passed on by touching weeping shingles spots, but even this is unlikely. I have never seen people in the same household get chicken pox from another member with shingles.
So if you avoid any close contact with the person with shingles, you will be safe.
Furthermore, if you have had chicken pox yourself, then you will have antibodies to the virus that will protect you and the unborn baby.
2007-12-24 14:31:24 · answer #1 · answered by zil28ennov 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1
2016-04-30 05:23:30 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
2
2016-08-31 16:31:34 · answer #3 · answered by Sandra 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I was 8 months pregnant with my 4th child, my grandfather was in the hospital with several health issues including a case of shingles. I went to visit him, but a sign posted on the door by the hospital personnel cautioned that the patient had shingles and suggested some people not come in the room. Pregnant women were among the list of people suggested not to come in. Now, how great the risk is, I don't know, but at the time I wasn't willing to take a risk. I do know that some times people who have NOT had chicken pox can get the chicken pox from people with shingles. My brother had shingles and both his teenage step-daughter and his younger son came down with chicken pox not long after his diagnosis. His step-daughter had never had chicken pox and his son had the vaccine, but still came down with a milder case of chicken pox than his step-sister had. You should be able to reach the answering service of your doctor's office. I would call and ask them to page your doctor and ask this question of him/her. Because you have not had the chicken pox my thought is you may want to stay away until you know for sure what the risks are.
2007-12-24 14:57:30 · answer #4 · answered by sevenofus 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Shingles And Pregnant Women
2016-09-28 06:34:45 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
4
2016-10-08 03:38:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seriously? Everyone is ignoring the fact that shingles are not contagious unless you touch a weeping sore, and even then, you are not at risk unless you have never had chicken pox or your immune system is compromised (HIV, etc). So let's stop the paranoia and calm down.
2015-07-23 01:21:28 · answer #7 · answered by Martha 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shingles are not contagious. They are the result of the varicella virus lying dormant in the body. In laymens terms, when/if you get the chicken pox (varicella) after the pox have cleared up, the virus can remain in your body for years, lying dormant (you won't have any pox or any sign of the illness.) Shingles occurs, usually in the elderly, when the immune system is compromised.
Personally, I don't think you have anything to worry about, however, you may want to check with you doctor just to be sure.
2007-12-24 14:28:34 · answer #8 · answered by Witchy_Woman 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Shingles is caused by the virus that causes chicken pox. If you have had chicken pox, then everything is fine. If you have not had chicken pox or been immunized for them then you might just want to be extra cautious around her.
2007-12-24 14:28:47 · answer #9 · answered by Jan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't if I were you. It is caused by the chicken pox virus which is dangerous to pregnant women. Better to be safe than sorry.
2007-12-24 14:24:58 · answer #10 · answered by notyou311 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋