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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be freaked out about adult chickenpox

45 replies

Firefly1987 · 08/07/2024 07:16

So my mum has just been diagnosed with shingles. I've never had chickenpox (to my knowledge) and I'm looking after her. I know chickenpox tends to be worse in adults but I didn't know to what extent or how often but I'm reading up about it now and it sounds so scary. I'm so worried about getting it and it seems likely under the circumstances. I've not touched any of her scabs or anything but apparently the virus can be passed through the air as well?! Now I'm even more glad I didn't take her to wait in A&E (I didn't know she had a rash until the doctor saw it) I've never been seriously ill before but I have anxiety and I'm super worried. Can anyone calm me down?!

YABU-you won't catch it and/or it's not that serious
YANBU-it's really bad and you are likely to catch it

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 08/07/2024 07:19

You’re very likely to be immune anyway.
I had a blood test for work, to check my immunity to measles, mumps and rubella, and I’m immune to all 3 yet I only had the rubella jab at school and I know I never had mumps and measles.

Original poster
Firefly1987 · 08/07/2024 07:22

@DustyLee123 that's interesting! I hope you're right! I'm really freaking out it sounds absolutely awful and I'm worried about being in the same room as my mum. I know I should be worried about her right now not myself (she's in a lot of pain) but christ am panicking.

OP posts:
ARichtGoodDram · 08/07/2024 07:23

If you are seriously panicking then is it perhaps worth getting yourself vaccinated?

Hoardasurass · 08/07/2024 07:24

I didn't vote because as it's a bit of both. It can be really bad as an adult but it can be really mild and although you're likely to catch it by caring for your mum odds are if you've been previously exposed at school etc without catching it then you're likely naturally Immune

Original poster
Firefly1987 · 08/07/2024 07:25

ARichtGoodDram · 08/07/2024 07:23

If you are seriously panicking then is it perhaps worth getting yourself vaccinated?

Yes but isn't it too late for that at this point?

OP posts:
Original poster
Firefly1987 · 08/07/2024 07:27

Hoardasurass · 08/07/2024 07:24

I didn't vote because as it's a bit of both. It can be really bad as an adult but it can be really mild and although you're likely to catch it by caring for your mum odds are if you've been previously exposed at school etc without catching it then you're likely naturally Immune

I genuinely can't remember any classmates ever having it either (although I suppose they must've done) maybe they all caught it before school like toddler age?

OP posts:
Bells3032 · 08/07/2024 07:27

Shingles can't transfer chicken pox through the air..only with transfer from the scabs. So if you havent been in contact you'll probably be fine..

However you can ask your gp for a blood test to see if you're immune esp if you're caring for someone elderly and/or you can get the chicken pox vaccine done privately for about £150. It'll help out your mind at rest if she has another hour of it in future

lljkk · 08/07/2024 07:28

I had a mild case of CP as an adult.
My mother didn't know if I had it or not as a child.

ARichtGoodDram · 08/07/2024 07:28

Firefly1987 · 08/07/2024 07:25

Yes but isn't it too late for that at this point?

Show quote history

Being vaccinated within 3-5 days of exposure can still help limit the risk of catching it, and can also make it much milder if you do catch it.

Dilbertian · 08/07/2024 07:34

My dm caught chickenpox from a dgc. She had spent a day caring for her dgc, and my SIL called her that evening to tell my dm that the toddler had come out in spots. Dm has a heart condition and various other medical issues, and had never had chickenpox, so she called the GP. He advised her to have a blood test a certain number of days after exposure. It came back positive - she had chickenpox. She was not yet at all ill or symptomatic, and the GP immediately started her on antiviral medication. Dm did not develop any symptoms or become ill in any way.

HTH

Sgtmajormummy · 08/07/2024 07:37

I caught it at 22 from my 4yo nephew who had a very minor case. Spots everywhere including mouth and inner eyelids (it goes for mucus membranes) and a high temperature.
I was running cold baths in a feverish attempt to ease the itching and if I hadn’t had a lovely neighbour who brought round food and shopping I’d probably have done myself some serious harm.

Mog65 · 08/07/2024 07:38

You cannot get chickenpox from shingles. Your poor mum will be feeling crap and really run down. Make her a nice cup of tea!

Original poster
Firefly1987 · 08/07/2024 07:42

Bells3032 · 08/07/2024 07:27

Shingles can't transfer chicken pox through the air..only with transfer from the scabs. So if you havent been in contact you'll probably be fine..

However you can ask your gp for a blood test to see if you're immune esp if you're caring for someone elderly and/or you can get the chicken pox vaccine done privately for about £150. It'll help out your mind at rest if she has another hour of it in future

Oh thank you that is most reassuring! The doctor didn't seem too worried, as I wasn't pregnant etc. which is why I didn't worry too much until I started googling about it and all the horror stories which have been very anxiety inducing. Apparently my mum has actually had the shingles jab but she's still got it. Hopefully it'll be milder though (although the pain hasn't been mild) I can't imagine us both being ill at the same time.

OP posts:
Mabelface · 08/07/2024 07:42

I caught it at 32, but it was a second dose for me. Not that many spots and just felt mildly under the weather.

Mydustymonstera · 08/07/2024 07:42

Mog65 · 08/07/2024 07:38

You cannot get chickenpox from shingles. Your poor mum will be feeling crap and really run down. Make her a nice cup of tea!

@Mog65 sorry but you absolutely can get chickenpox from shingles!

u can’t however catch shingles from chickenpox that’s maybe what you are thinking of. Shingles is a flareup of the old chickenpox virus from an earlier - maybe childhood - infection. If someone who hasn’t had chickenpox comes into direct contact with the virus (it’s not airborne) then they may develop chickenpox.

Flubadubba · 08/07/2024 07:43

When DD had it, DH had a chat with a Dr about it. They said that he could well be immune, or had a very mild case that wasn't noticed when he was small (1 or 2 spots).

If you are worried, though, it might be worth an immunity test/having the jab privately (a lot of chemists do it).

Original poster
Firefly1987 · 08/07/2024 07:50

Flubadubba · 08/07/2024 07:43

When DD had it, DH had a chat with a Dr about it. They said that he could well be immune, or had a very mild case that wasn't noticed when he was small (1 or 2 spots).

If you are worried, though, it might be worth an immunity test/having the jab privately (a lot of chemists do it).

Thank you. It'll be just my luck that I'm not immune. I guess this is why people want their kids to get chickenpox early. I think I will go to the chemist and ask today.

OP posts:
alittlequinnie · 08/07/2024 07:55

I got it at aged about 31. Everyone said all the same things to me when my daughter got it - you're likely to be immune etc etc.

I wasn't. I had so many spots - I counted the ones on my face - 67!! I felt awful - high temperature and just like death.

... but the itching - I spent about 10 days in a cold bath in an attempt to alleviate it.

I hope you don't get it because I wouldn't wish it on my own worst enemy!

YouveGotAFastCar · 08/07/2024 07:56

You’ll need to book online if you want it. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to get it same day, but that might depend on where you are. It’s £70 per jab, and you need two jabs, five weeks apart. They will tell you to avoid unwell people, pregnant people etc for two week after you’ve had the jab.

I don’t hold immunity to chicken pox. I’ve had it several times as an adult. It’s okay. Not the funnest thing in the world but it doesn’t tend to relegate you to your bed in pain. And I’d be stunned if you don’t have a natural immunity if you’ve never caught it.

Garman · 08/07/2024 08:01

I never knowingly had chicken pox despite being exposed to it at my childminders house when I was 6 or 7, but I am immune to it so it’s most likely I got a very mild dose of it. My kids got it when they were a toddler and a baby, it was absolutely awful, so I got the vaccination for our third dc. Very high chance you’re immune to it.

Original poster
Firefly1987 · 08/07/2024 08:10

alittlequinnie · 08/07/2024 07:55

I got it at aged about 31. Everyone said all the same things to me when my daughter got it - you're likely to be immune etc etc.

I wasn't. I had so many spots - I counted the ones on my face - 67!! I felt awful - high temperature and just like death.

... but the itching - I spent about 10 days in a cold bath in an attempt to alleviate it.

I hope you don't get it because I wouldn't wish it on my own worst enemy!

That sounds so terrible, sorry you had that experience! Exactly why I'm so worried. I wish I'd just had it as a child now. Did you treat it with anything?

OP posts:
Original poster
Firefly1987 · 08/07/2024 08:13

YouveGotAFastCar · 08/07/2024 07:56

You’ll need to book online if you want it. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to get it same day, but that might depend on where you are. It’s £70 per jab, and you need two jabs, five weeks apart. They will tell you to avoid unwell people, pregnant people etc for two week after you’ve had the jab.

I don’t hold immunity to chicken pox. I’ve had it several times as an adult. It’s okay. Not the funnest thing in the world but it doesn’t tend to relegate you to your bed in pain. And I’d be stunned if you don’t have a natural immunity if you’ve never caught it.

If I get the jabs will the first one help if I've already been exposed to it?

OP posts:
haveatye · 08/07/2024 08:17

You'll have been exposed to it now. Can take up to a couple of weeks to develop after exposure.

You absolutely can get it from shingles, I gave it to DH that way. It was rough tbh. Get retrovirals as soon as you show signs. Stock up on easy food, loose clothing and paracetamol (ibuprofen is not recommended).

Original poster
Firefly1987 · 08/07/2024 08:19

@haveatye presumably you were sharing the same bed and stuff though? So closer proximity. But yeah, worrying. I will keep the retrovirals in mind, do they really help?

OP posts:
haveatye · 08/07/2024 08:25

And anyone on the fence about the vaccine for kids - my healthy 3yo nearly died from CP (got invasive strep a at the same time, then sepsis/pneumonia).

I would highly recommend the vaccine. Even if your DC doesn't get seriously ill, it's a week off work with a fractious, itchy/scabby child (and more than that for multiple kids, my two came down within two weeks of each other)