Dad has Shingles - would you let Mum babysit?

[beeswaxbonnie]

First thread here!

Some advice needed....

So my Dad has got Shingles, confirmed yesterday. My Mum was supposed to be babysitting our 9 month old son tonight while we have our first date night since being married! Will she still be okay to?

Details which may be relevant:

I've never had chickenpox before
Nor has my 9 month old
I'm currently 8 months pregnant

Sorry if this is a silly question, I'm a FTM with no experience whatsoever of chickenpox. I know shingles and chickenpox are related.

Thanks so much in advance x

No I wouldn’t especially given your pregnant and not had chicken poxs. I’d not be worried about DS, he will get them at some point but i wouldn’t risk you being pregnant.

Also, when my Nan had shingles she had round the clock care from family as she was really ill, I’d want your DM to stay with your DF.

Had your mum had chicken pox? If she has had chicken pox I’d let her baby sit because she won’t be carrying it. If she hasn’t had chicken pox she could be shedding the virus. You can’t catch shingles but because it’s caused by the same virus as chicken pox if you haven’t had chicken pox you can catch that.

Has your mum had chicken pox?

CP can only be caught from shingles through direct contact with the fluid in the blisters. If your DM has already had CP she is unlikely to catch it from someone with shingles. You cannot 'catch' shingles.

Postpone a week.
Has your mum had chickenpox?
Shingles is the chickenpox virus which lays dormat until times of stress.

I’m no expert but I’ve had shingles and I would say definitely not. I’d had it for about 4 days before diagnosed by a gp, then I was signed off immediately and asked not to use public transport etc. The reason was the risk of transmission to pregnant women and children. I felt terrible that I had unknowingly been presenting this risk to them for 4 days before diagnosis. I didn’t pass it to anyone afaik, but it is a real risk.

Can I also suggest that once you have had your baby you get vaccinated against chicken pox. It is a horrible illness in adults.

Transmission of chicken pox that is

Yes it all comes down to whether your mum has had chicken pox. If so, then no reason for her not to babysit, but if she hasn't, then that could be as issue and I'd say no.

Up to them to decide how much care your dad needs. Some people I've had with shingles are not particularly ill or bedridden or needing support or anything. So if they feel ok about it, then yes.

Yes my Mum has had chickenpox before x

Long as she's had chicken pox already you'll be fine, that said I've had shingles before and I couldn't get out of bed for a month. I was so so unwell. So it might be that she needs to look after your dad.

This is very unusual and not NHS advice unless the rash is very exposed. Usually if the rash can be covered eg under clothes, there is no need to isolate, unless you feel unwell
www.nhs.uk/conditions/shingles/

Shingles sufferer here. Does your dad have open sores? That's the only time he will be infectious and only direct contact with the sores would transmit as chicken pox. Though if it's going to play on your mind it's probably best to postpone

Wait - you’re 8 months pregnant and have a 9 month old?! Wow!! Impressed over here!

My oldest had shingles when she was 5, and the doctor didn't even have me keep her off school. The only recommendation was that she not charge for PE.

If it's your dad who has shingles, a person with no immunity would need to actually touch one of his blisters to catch chicken pox.

That’s strange Seeline, although it was 20 years ago. It was all down my arm and chest on side. Perhaps it was because it was on my lower arm. I remember feeling terribly guilty as a woman on my team was pregnant (was ok though, didn’t give her chickenpox thank god)

Haha when they tell you you're fertile after giving birth ... believe them !!!

No, shingles can cause chicken pox in anyone who hasn't had cp before. With you being pregnant it just wouldn't be worth the risk. Like a pp said, postpone it for a week just to ensure that all the spots have scabbed over. I had shingles last week and it was very mild, probably helped by antivirals.

A pp mentioned vaccination. You might be able to get vaccinated now as you haven't had chicken pox and you'be possibly been in contact with shingles. It will protect you and give some protection to your baby when they are born. Definitely worth asking your midwife or GP.

Chicken pox is going around at the moment as well, I know four children in different schools who all had it in the last few weeks.

You can’t get vaccinated against chicken pox in pregnancy. It’s a live vaccine.

As your Mum has had chickenpox, I'd let her look after the kids.

Agree with those saying you should get vaccinated after baby is born.

Enjoy your evening out.

As your mum has had chicken pox she won't pose any risk.

I had shingles 4 years ago and all I was told to do was take pain killers and not have the rash exposed. I was not signed of sick and nor was I told to worry about pregnant women. (I did ensure they knee at work so any pregnant woman could keep clear of this made them feel safer)

Sorry, ignore me, pregnant women can't have the vaccine. Don't know what I was confusing it with.

Would your dad definitely stay away from your ds? Or is he the sort of, "oh a quick hello won't hurt" person?

Thank you for all your replies.
I've decided it's too big a risk. Pharmacist and midwife have advised against it.

I don't think this date night was supposed to be! Went to see School of Rock on Tuesday and the theatre was evacuated, they invited us back free of charge tonight and now this!

Will look into the vaccine once I've given birth thank you very much ladies x