Shingles - baby's first birthday party

[Plannergirl9]

I have shingles and am currently in quarantine at home. My baby niece is 1 on Saturday so there will be a family party with other children and elderly grandparents.

I called my DSis to let her know that I'm not coming to the party as I have shingles and am still contagious. My DSis exploded at me over the phone, how selfish I was (I don't drink so was going to be designated driver ), etc.

I explained that you can catch chicken pox from shingles especially if you haven't had it before. DSis doesn't believe me even after sending her a link to the NHS website. She is convinced it's not contagious and the website is 'scaremongering'. She even said if I loved DN, I would come to her party and give her chicken pox

I know ianbu to not be going but aibu to think most people know shingles are contagious and my DSis is a bit ignorant?

Your DS is being incredibly ignorant. Well done you for having the common sense NOT to go to the party. Following on from the chicken pox thread yesterday there are a lot of selfish people who probably would.

Hope you feel better soon [flowers}

Shingles is not airborne and can only spread chicken pox by direct contact with fluid from the blisters. If it can be covered them you are ok to go out. You aren't quarantined from work or school with shingles

The blisters that form contain live virus. If a person who has never had chickenpox makesdirect contact with an open blister or something with the fluid on it,they can contract the virus and develop chickenpox.

Treatment for shingles can include:

covering the rash with clothing or a non-adherent (non-stick) dressing to reduce the risk of other people becoming infected with chickenpox - as it's very difficult to pass the virus on to someone else if the rash is covered

Yes it's unusual to pass on shingles without direct contact, but if it was my baby's 1st birthday party and an adult with shingles turned up I'd be fuming - it's not worth the risk, particularly if there is anyone pregnant or immuno-compromised there! You are doing the right thing, OP!

You are refreshingly responsible OP

To be honest, if your DSis is so happy to resort to emotional blackmail with a family member when she doesn’t get her own way, do you really want anything to do with her?