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Original poster

Can anybody clarify re: chicken pox/shingles

20 replies

CarrotCake44 · 08/06/2021 13:44

Can anybody clarify?
My MIL, who lives close to us and we see regularly, has recently been diagnosed with shingles. Now I am pregnant with dc2 and have never had chicken pox, although have been vaccinated. I read somewhere that even though I have been vaccinated, I still have about 20% chance of catching it!
Am I right in thinking she should stay away?

OP posts:
ImmyMc · 08/06/2021 13:47

Yes!

Seeline · 08/06/2021 13:51

Technically you can only catch CP from shingles if you come in contact with the fluid in the blisters. But I wouldn't be taking any chances.

Chelyanne · 08/06/2021 13:51

If you're more comfortable with it that way then yes.

It wouldn't bother me tbh. My eldest 2 had chickenpox and my BIL had shingles when I was pregnant with our 3rd. My mum couldn't remember if I'd ever had it as a child but I was fine and didn't get ill.

bluebell34567 · 08/06/2021 13:57

yes, she should stay away.

Original poster
CarrotCake44 · 08/06/2021 14:03

Thank you!! I think she thinks that because I've been vaccinated, it'll be ok. OMG, when she announced to us she had shingles, she was sitting right next to me 🤬 I quickly jumped up and got away from her! She could have phoned, but no, she had to pop over cos she had to see my dc1 (who she is slightly obsessive about, but thats a whole other thread!!!)

OP posts:
choosername1234 · 08/06/2021 14:05

Where is her shingles? Realistically if the rash was covered even with light clothing (under a T-shirt ) the chances of catching it are slim

INeedNewShoes · 08/06/2021 14:05

DD caught chicken pox from my mum when she had shingles. Don’t take any chances!

Original poster
CarrotCake44 · 08/06/2021 14:16

She is definately staying away, am not taking any risks thats for sure.
Her shingles is in the back of her head and neck.
Another question... can you catch shingles from someone who has shingles? My dh has had chicken pox but not shingles!

OP posts:
PegPeople · 08/06/2021 14:20

If the rash is covered she should be fine to be around you although it's obviously your choice.

I've had shingles and I was allowed to still go to work and teach because the rash was covered.

You cannot catch shingles from someone with shingles but you can catch chicken pox.

ItsSnowJokes · 08/06/2021 14:23

So you have had the chicken pox vaccine? When did you have that? You should be OK if you are vaccinated as that's the whole point of vaccinating!

You cannot catch shingles from shingles. You can catch chicken pox from shingles if you come in to close contact with the fluid from the blisters.

I had shingles and my then 1 year old didn't catch chicken pox. She has since had the vaccine.

ImmyMc · 08/06/2021 17:21

I know it's a completely different disease, but I've had the Covid vaccine and I still wouldn't walk around talking to Covid patients despite the vaccine. If it were me, I'd be playing it safe.

Twinkie01 · 08/06/2021 20:41

No you catch chicken pox from the fluid in chicken pox or shingles pustules the virus then stays in your system and will appear as shingles when run down or under stress.

You literally have to be in skin to skin contact with the pustules to catch CP from shingles.

ImmyMc · 09/06/2021 08:07

@Twinkie01 I think you are wrong. It's also airborne, and the particles in the air come from the particles released from the blisters.

Twinkie01 · 09/06/2021 08:13

That's not the information I was given when I had shingles recently and this

The blisters that develop as a result of shingles contain virus particles. If you have not had chickenpox before, you can catch it from direct contact with the fluid from the blisters of someone who has shingles, or from something that has the fluid on it, such as bed sheets or a towel.

Is from the NHS website.

Ughmaybenot · 09/06/2021 08:23

I had shingles backalong, on my torso, and was told, by multiple GPs, that as long as the blisters remained covered and no one had any direct contact with the blisters (namely the fluid from them), it was safe to go to work (at a GP practice)/be around people. As far as I’m aware you cannot catch shingles from someone with shingles, just chicken pox if you have not already had it, and you make contact with the blister fluid (that sounds gross 😂)
Out of politeness I think I would’ve given you the heads up first, and let you decide for yourself, but the risk to you is very small, if that helps at all?

ImmyMc · 09/06/2021 08:58

Seems to be conflicting information then, as this says that the particles can become airborne: www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/about/transmission.html

Maybe if they are covered then the particles don't get into the air?

Original poster
CarrotCake44 · 09/06/2021 14:15

@PegPeople
The rash is on the back of her head and back of neck, so is pretty much exposed.

OP posts:
Original poster
CarrotCake44 · 09/06/2021 14:46

@ImmyMc
This was my thinking too... if you've had the flu jab for example, it doesn't mean that you 100% won't catch the flu.

OP posts:
Original poster
CarrotCake44 · 09/06/2021 15:03

@Ughmaybenot
Yes she should have warned us first before deciding herself that it would be ok, but she "had to pop over to see my dc1"!

OP posts:
Ivf4203 · 10/07/2025 21:16

@CarrotCake44 hi OP i know this is super old post but just wondering how you got on? Husband just got diagnosed with shingles and I never had chickenpox before although vaccinated around 15 yrs ago so I could work in healthcare. I know it doesn’t give you full protection as my friend who was vaccinated still caught it. Did your midwife check your immunity level? I will call mine tomorrow but just sick with worry. It’s our first baby conceived via IVF.

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