To not want MIL with shingles to come and visit DS1&2

[tiredange]

MIL found out she had shingles last thurs. Grandparents day with DS are every tues. Both kids have not had chicken pox but DH and all think it's OK for her to come. She is very touchy, kissy with the kids. Should we carry on regardless?

it's a bit bonkers to fuss about them being exposed to shingles. Which is far less infectious.

The MIL is very tactile, so they will more than likely pick up the virus and the OP should keep them home until she is sure that they haven't.

Those of you who've had shingles how long did you feel awful?

I start to feel very tired and fluey. A couple of days later i'm itchy, so i know it's shingles. Then i get the rash, which burns and stays for about a week and then starts to fade. I feel rough for about two weeks. Then i am numb across my torso for about a month. I am lucky because being younger, i don't suffer much. But i have seen elderly people suffer terribly with it and there is no relief from the pain/itching.

You can't get shingles from chicken pox

If a person is immune supressed they should not be in any way expossed to shingles or CP, as in the case of care home residents.

This virus can cause death in the elderly and is misunderstood tobe harmless to all.

Er birds you have misquoted me - I said it was bonkers to fuss about shingles if she doesn't mind them being exposed to chickenpox.
If she had an issue with chickenpox full stop I could understand but there's no logic in being happy to expose to chickenpox but not shingles.

The later post about hoping MIL will look after them next week suggests there's no issue with exposure to chickenpox as well.

As for how you feel - varies widely. Some people are very poorly, others hardly notice they're ill. It's pretty individual.

I'm not concerned if they catch CP. They'll get it at some point. Am just thinking she will feel rubbish so why bother? They did see them last week and will see them next week. I just think missing a week when she's got shingles is better for her.

I've had shingles and was very ill with them. Think I took a full week off work (unheard of for me at that time) and was pretty pulled down for a good couple of weeks. If she's got a chest infection on top it sounds like her immune systems through the floor and she needs rest. Definitely find another sitter for next week.

tiredange - that's not remotely what you said at the beginning of the thread?? You called her selfish.

"I'm now wondering whether she will even be well enough to have the kids BH Monday as we're meant to go to a wedding."

Ooh let's hope she's ok then

I felt dreadful when I had shingles, even though they gave me the anti- injection. No way could I have worked or looked after GC. I just lay in bed for over a week and struggled to read or do anything at all.
I have a recurrent bout when I didn't feel so Ill
I adore my DGC but would never put their health at risk.

You can't get shingles from chicken pox - I put this in answer to the statement made below as it is a common belief that chicken pox can cause shingles. I did not say that everyone should go and visit the elderly when they have either chicken pox or shingles!!

YANBU my DS has chicken pox and so I haven't seen my mum for two weeks, I haven't gone to her care home as I didn't want to give her or the old ladies shingles.

PIL didn't come as MIL feels like shit. We are looking at taking the kids to the wedding (assuming bride and groom don't object to 2 last minute seating additions) and going on the big dipper in Blackpool. Long car journey for BH. Bring it on.....