Chicken pox, shingles, babies, oh my....So my 13 year old cousin came down with shingles...he's been around my 9 month old daughter....my question is does she have a chance of getting chicken pox or is it a mandate to get a chicken pox vaccine at birth (thats what my sister in law told me they do now)...if she gets it, it won't be the end of the world.
Also, Ive heard it's dangerous for pregnant women to be around people with shingles because it's an airborne virus and it can affect the fetus. I am currently 7 weeks pregnant, but Ive had the chickenpox. Since I personally have immunity, will that go for my unborn child as well? Any one had information or links, that would be so helpful! I dont have time right now to look up the information (we have company over).
Thank you all for your help!
Answer by ♥countrygal♥
Talking to your doctor would be a good idea. You are also not immune you can only get shilgles if you have already had the chicken pox so it is possible.
Answer by Mary
Shingles is sort of a flare up of the chicken pox virus that was already in your system (from a previous infection). You cannot get shingles from someone who has shingles. However, you can get chicken pox from someone who has shingles, since it is the same virus. There is a vaccine for chicken pox, but you should check your records to see if your baby has had it. You should be okay since you have already had chicken pox, but there are rare cases in which people have gotten chicken pox twice. If I were you, I would avoid as much contact while he is infected, or at least be very careful with your hand washing. It's always best to be safe than sorry. Your unborn child can only get chicken pox if you are infected. However, once the child is out of the womb, she is not immune, as she has not come in contact with the virus to build up antibodies.
Answer by ||EDD: Oct 11, 2008||
Shingles is NOT airborne! Shingles is the chicken pox the second time around.. Once you've gotten the chicken pox virus, you we vulnerable to shingles if the virus doesn't get out of your immune system correctly. The virus will travel to a nerve and stay dormant there until stress or other factors activate it again. Then you get "shingles" , it's simply the chicken pox virus inside a nerve and usuaally only attacks one side of the body. Now, without proper hygiene, he can pass the virus to your 9 mo. Old, and if he/she gets it, he/she will get chicken pox if they've never had it before. Proper immunization should keep your baby clear of that though.
As for you, if you have already had the chicken pox, then you cannot catch anything from his shingles. Your immunities aren't passed to your unborn baby until later on, but you and your baby will be fine.
Make sure your cousin doesn't scratch himself and touch his other body parts or he'll get little rashes there as well. Keep him away from kids who haven't had their chicken pox because without proper hygiene he can pass that along to them (CHICKEN POX, NOT SHINGLES)
GL
Get the facts on the chickenpox vaccine, treatment, causes (varicella zoster virus, VZV), symptoms and signs (itchy, red rash).
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