Suspected shingles, lo’s not had CP before.

[PinkyU]

My oh is currently at the gp with suspected shingles, neither my youngest two lo’s (9 and 6 years) have had the pox, though they have been exposed to it in school in previous years. Oh has been ill now for about 10 days, we didn’t restrict contact because we didn’t have a clue it could be shingles, so I assume they have been in contact with the rash.

Do I need to do anything more now than avoid direct contact with oh’s rash?

Does it seem unlikely now that they will develop the pox?

My mother has never had CP, neither has my oldest sibling though myself and 2 other siblings have had it, so they have been exposed. Is it possible that my lo’s will also never develop it?

As long as the kids don't come into contact with the rash then it is unlikely they will get cp make sure dh has his own hand towel. To be extra cautious.

Thank you Mrsjayy, we’ll definitely take those precautions. Shingles has been confirmed and we’ve been told that it’s very likely that both lo’s have been exposed and will likely develop CP, very worrying as 6 year old has chronic health conditions, but we’ll just have to hope for the best.

Ah no if they do come down with them go.to the pharmacy/GP and they will advice you on treatment

Sorry OP, it's highly likely your kids will get the pox from it. Your poor family! Shingles is horrendous, I had it at seven and still very clearly remember how agonising it was.

Hoping the pox is very mild for your kids! Get your OH to wear a long sleeved shirt, the more skin he manages to cover, the better the chances - although 10 days of it already mean they've probably already been exposed. Be aware that he could be sick with singles for weeks and weeks.

Thank you both. He is a very miserable patient currently, he’s described the pain of the rash like that of a burn, pretty horrible.

I’m keeping my eye out for the start of any blisters as youngest is on daily ibuprofen for pain management and I’ve read this could be dangerous with CP.

Eeek. I just had them (shingles) but for me it wasn't too bad at all, the rash did burn a lot. In fact, I first went to the chemist thinking I had some kind of dermatitis. Another friend of mine had only a patch of rash on her face, that was it, so here's hoping his doesn't get too bad. My rash was on my neck so I was able to keep it exposed a lot and that helped.

Op, is it worth talking to your gp about your dc getting vaccinated against cp given that one has chronic health problems - this link suggests vaccination may be worth it even after being exposed - I think it's a USA organisation? You could phone gp and ask for a call from gp or health visitor to discuss it? www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/varicella/public/index.html#post_exp

I would speak to the GP urgently about the ibuprofen. The disease starts before the first spots show, so you may be too late stopping with hte ibuprofen.

If they do catch it, do make sure your other family members that haven't had it stay away. I was in contact with CP numerous times and didn't catch it until I was 15. It was horrible as an adult.