Exposure to shingles with no history of chicken pox

[shinglePringle]

I was with a friend on Thursday, friend developed shingle rash on Saturday. I haven’t had chicken pox as a child despite repeated exposure to infection. Should I call Gp for chicken pox vaccine as I was exposed? Apparently I have a high chance of catching CP and symptoms take 10-21 days. If I had had chicken pox I wouldn’t be worrying, but it’s just everything I read seems to say CP as adult is serious.

Likely too late for the vaccine. Probably you'll just have to wait and see if you get symptoms (I'm noot a Dr though)

If you do manage to avoid it this time, might be worth getting the vaccine to avoid future stress...

You can’t catch chickenpox from shingles unless you’re exposed to the fluid inside the blisters so if your friend didn’t develop a rash until after you’d seen her you’re fine (chickenpox itself is different and at its most contagious before the rash appears).
The vaccine isn’t available on the NHS so if you want to consider it it would not be through your GP in any case.

As a previous poster has mentioned, Shingles is spread via contact with the fluid inside the blisters. The infectious period is from the time of onset of rash until the blisters have all crusted over. So very unlikely you've been infected.

NICE guidance says (see section B2)
Guidelines on post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for varicella or shingles (February 2025) - GOV.UK
The risk of acquiring infection from contact with an immunocompetent individual with non-exposed shingles lesions (for example, thoraco-lumbar) is remote and therefore is not an indication for PEP.

It’s quite hard to get CP from shingles, you’d need direct contact with the fluid so as the rash didn’t appear until several days after you met I reckon the chance of getting it from your mate are slim to none. That said, it’s not good to get CP as an adult, that is far more contagious and often people pick it up with no idea where they’ve been exposed so I really would look into getting yourself vaccinated.

Are you certain you haven't had CP? One of mine had it so mildly that if it hadn't been two weeks after their sibling I would have just put it down to a viral rash. Exposed since and not caught it plus had blood test and definitely immune. Not saying not to get a vaccine but it is possible to have a very mild version and still develop immunity.

I don't think I had chicken pox as a child but I've also had the blood test and I'm apparently immune. My GP told me I probably had it and Mum didn't realise. I still avoid anyone with CP though!

Popping back to say if they haven't already OP, please encourage your friend to ask her GP or pharmacist about antiviral meds. My DH had a bout of shingles during the pandemic, we stupidly didn't go to the GP because lockdown, and he still has post-herpetic neuralgia. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.

Antivirals are just for shingles not chicken pox.

Anyway they wont treat this.unless you were pregnant.

But it may be worth looking into the chickenpox vaccine for yourself for future protection.

Also you may have had chicken pox already you just don't know about it.

I know - I meant the OP's friend (who has shingles) should get antivirals 😊

My mum seems to think I haven’t had it despite her exposing me as a child in the hope of getting it over and done with.

Thanks all, I didn’t get the vaccine and I spoke with pharmacist - will probably get one at some point as I didn’t realise how bad CP is as an adult. Thanks for the great advice and reassurances to all who posted

Interesting, I didn’t know you could get tested to check immunity. Was this some time ago as I don’t think the nhs would entertain me if I asked for a blood test to check?

@Howmanycatsistoomanythanks, yes she got some - taking tablets 5 times a day

Ps @Howmanycatsistoomanymeant to add sorry to hear about your husband’s post viral issues, so important to get the right meds but I understand in those circumstances it would have been hard to know what to do.

well apparently up to 5 days post exposure the vaccine can still lessen symptoms. That was dr Google though and the information given led me to create this thread so glean of that what you will

It was many years ago and I don't think they'd be so keen to do it now. I also had a very good GP at the time who thought it was better to test and vaccinate if necessary than get CP as an adult.