Shingles in children.

[admylin]

Dd has just had shingles which is not so common in children so I've read.

She was off school for a week and in pain for a couple of days and is now back at school. The scabs are falling off and dry around her body but she says it still hurts abit so I've excused her from sport lessons and swimming. I'm just wondering how long it'll be before she can safely go swimming again. Any one have any ideas or experience?

ds(11) had it at Easter time. He missed about 2 weeks or so of swimming as advice was to keep the rash covered but otherwise carried on as normally as he could. Apparently it is increasingly common among children - gps were surprised but hospital not. ds did get unwell again, possibly due to having a slightly depressed immune system, a couple of months later, no rash but definitely below par with an ear infection.

I'm trying to be careful with her diet now, she had been off her food and not eating before she got this and I was trying to tell myself it'll pass, it's just a phase so now it's fresh fruit and a varied diet and a vitamin supplement for the next few weeks.