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Coming in to contact with shingles

5 replies

MadameCheese · 19/03/2010 10:27

Silly question - I know I shouldn't visit my friend who has shingles but is it safe for my husband to do so? I thought it wasn't possible to catch it and am confused therefore as to how it could harm my baby.

Any thoughts? Thanks

OP posts:

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mimcomum · 19/03/2010 12:19

Hi MadameCheese

It is possible to develop Chickenpox following contact with Shingles (virus is in same family) but you won't catch Shingles from contact with Shingles (it operates differently). However, if you and your husband both have a definite history of Chickenpox then you will have developed immunity and there should be no problem having contact with either a Shingles or Chickenpox infected person/child. Hope that makes sense.

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underactivethyroidmum · 19/03/2010 12:34

I echo mimco - my DH had shingles when I was 16 weeks pregnant with my DS

The doctor advised it was fine provided I had already had chickenpox and so long as we avoided direct skin contact

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Stickhasgrownup · 19/03/2010 12:34

I second what MC said.
DH had it when I was preg with DS and all was fine as I'd already had chicken pox so was immune.

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FatSeal · 19/03/2010 14:23

If you and DH have both had chicken pox then you won't catch it from the shingles sufferer.

I'd probably go and have a coffee and cheer her up a bit, but realise that if you're a worrier that's a step too far! HTH

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MadameCheese · 19/03/2010 14:59

Thanks everyone! TBH I wouldn't have posted unless a doctor I'd worked with a couple of years ago said it was a problem - tsk! I'm a bit wiser now and think I'll do as you suggest FS