Shingles

[Helley]

I've just been told by manager that she has shingles and will be off work for the next 2 weeks because it can be very contagious.

I'm not an expert on the subject, but I know its the adult form of chicken pox and that pregnant women should try and keep out way from people with the chicken pox....

I'm currently 27wks+4 and have my 28 week check up with midwife on Monday.....should I just wait until then to mention to her that I've been in close contact with someone with shingles or contact her now?

I'm not worried at the moment, but should I be??

Advice would be really grateful ladies.

Cheers,
H xx

Shingles is not a airbourne virus so it is safe to be around someone with it as you wont catch it from coughs or sneezes etc it can only be caught by coming into contact with the weeping blisters. So you should be safe.

If you have had Chicken pox, don't worry you can't catch anything. It is possible to get Chicken pox from someone who has had shingles, but I understand it isn't that common.

You can't catch shingles itself. It is the reactivation of your own chicken pox virus from years earlier.

Don't worry too much, but if you are concerned and it's hard not to be about everything when you're pregnant, give your MW a call.

Ps if you have had chickenpox in the past you will have the antibodies to protect you from the virus.

Brill, that's put my mind at rest.

Thank you!