Shingles

[DomesticG0ddess]

There seem to be a lot of health professionals on here, so maybe someone can help. There is so much conflicting advice on the net - can I catch shingles from a visiting elderly granny who has had it for some weeks, and is it harmful to unborn babies? (yes, I have had chicken pox when young). Thank you!

I had shingles once and did a bit of research back then which seemed to show conflicting answers

However, as far as I know you cannot "catch" shingles. If you have already had chickenpox then the virus lays dormant in your body but can flare up again as shingles if your immune system is compromised (or in my case randomly )

If you have not had chickenpox you may be able to catch chickenpox from someone who has shingles. In the case of an adult this can be pretty serious I believe.

Also, as far as I know once you start to show the symptoms of shingles (large weeping blisters - luvverly!) you are no longer infectious.

Yes itsallgoingtobefine is right, you can't 'catch' shingles as shingles is a reactivation of a dormant virus. You can catch chicken pox from shingles though. If you are sure you've had cp then you will pass antibodies onto the baby.

Unlikely that the shingles are actually infectious now if shes had them for some weeks.

If in doubt speak to your GP

Thanks, that is what I kind of thought.