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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Shingles...

8 replies

tinierclanger · 03/07/2008 18:11

Just found out my poor hairdresser has shingles - and I had an appointment booked for next week. Nearly 37 weeks now and this was to be my last haircut before delivery and I imagine for a long time after! Does anyone know how long I will have to avoid her for? I hate changing hairdressers so would rather just wait a week or so if possible...

OP posts:
Litterbug · 03/07/2008 18:13

Im pretty sure shingles is not catching.

Its just chicken pox that is.

My DH had shingles whilst i was pregnant and I was told I was OK around him.

PertweeAndLemon · 03/07/2008 18:15

Have you had chicken pox yourself?

PetitFilou1 · 03/07/2008 18:21

Here you go, from NHS Direct. There .is probably a lot more on there but this is what I found quickly

The blisters (vesicles) that develop as a result of shingles contain virus particles. The virus can be spread through direct contact with open blisters. A person who has shingles is contagious until the last blister has scabbed over.

If you have not had chickenpox before (usually young children) you can catch it from someone with shingles. However, you cannot get shingles unless you have previously had chickenpox. Once you have had chickenpox, the herpes varicella-zoster virus lies dormant and may be reactivated in the form of shingles at a later date.

Pregnant women

If you are pregnant and have not had chickenpox, you should avoid contact with someone who has shingles.

If you are pregnant and get shingles, your risk of getting pneumonia is increased. There is also a slight risk that if your unborn child is exposed to the herpes varicella-zoster virus, your baby may be damaged or miscarried. However, this is less likely with shingles than chickenpox.

Weak immune system

If you have a weak immune system, it is best to avoid close contact with someone with shingles. If you have a shingles rash, you should avoid sharing towels, going swimming, or playing contact sports, in order to avoid passing the virus on to someone who has not had chickenpox.

tinierclanger · 03/07/2008 18:23

Had chicken-pox twice when I was little (the twice bit seems a bit weird.

Apparently hairdresser was told by her GP to stay away from pregnant women. Have just been looking on internet but advice seems a bit inconsistent - some say shingles ok, some not. I'm seeing midwife on Monday though so will check with her.

OP posts:
PetitFilou1 · 03/07/2008 18:26

Twice isn't that weird - you can have a sub-clinical version (ie barely noticeable, couple of spots, child doesn't seem to be ill) and then you can get it 'properly' (so I am told by Dr husband) Tbh I think I'd avoid the hairdresser - better to be safe than sorry.

tinierclanger · 03/07/2008 18:28

How long for though d'you think? If she is 'de-scabbed', is she ok from that point? I could waddle in at week 39 perhaps.

Thanks for the twice explanation! I always wondered if there had been some kind of muddle.

OP posts:
PetitFilou1 · 03/07/2008 18:30

Yep as above, if she's scabbed over it'd be ok. I gave birth at 39 weeks last time though so you'd better warn her how far gone you'd be

tinierclanger · 03/07/2008 18:35

Thank you! Maybe I will warn her to get some plastic sheeting down first. Or perhaps just decide between twin horrors of risking a different stylist / having rubbish hair for a while.

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