Pregnant and have a toddler - close contact with shingles

[gnocci]

Just found out someone we spent the weekend with has shingles...

DS (18m) hasn't had chickenpox and I'm sure I read somewhere that they're connected.

I've had chickenpox but am pregnant.

Do I need to get an urgent GP's appt or am I over-reacting?!

My dd1 had suspected chicken pox when I was pregnant with dd2. I phoned the GP and they arranged for me to have a blood test to check if I had the antibodies. It was really easy and fast. Blood test one day and results the next. if you have any worries contact your GP/practice nurse, that is what they are there for.

The shingles virus is like the chickenpox one in that it lasts for 5-7 days. Once you are clear that's it. The neuralgic pain caused by shingles does recur, so you often hear people talking about their shingles - but it's the pain rather than the virus they are talking about. You need to find out when the person contracted shingles - the likelihood is they wouldn't have come near anyone with children and certainly anyone who is pregnant. The GP would have discussed it with them.

If you have had chickenpox you are probably fine. You can't catch shingles from shingles. You can catch chickenpox from shingles if you've never had it before. It would be very unfortunate for you to get chickenpox a second time from shingles as it isn't contagious in the same way and you will already have antibodies in your system.

DS may or may not get chickenpox, nothing you can do about it now.

Do what Elk says, ask your midwife/GP to get your stored blood tested for chickenpox (if you've had blood taken, if not you will need a blood test).

I had shingles in v.early pregnancy then dd1 had cp when I was about 24 weeks. If you've had it you should be fine.

Pascha is right - you can't catch shingles from shingles. Your ds could catch chicken pox from shingles, though.

18m is probably a fine time to get CP, really, or as good as any!

You are safe (and if you ever do get shingles, it will be from the CP you've already had, not from the 'someone' )

Congrats on your pregnancy, and yes, do discuss with GP if worried - personally, I wouldn't be.

Shingles is the chicken pox virus which has been living in the patients spinal cord until the immune system has been compromised enough for it to make a return.

If you had chicken pox you ought to be immune from further chicken pox. It's not set in stone and I'm sure your gp wouldnt mind setting your mind at rest.