UPDATE Is this dangerous?

My BIL found out yesterday that he has shingles!! He has a mild case but has been walking around with it for a week at work with my DH. They still do not know that I'm PG, so I asked my SIL(his wife) if it was contagious and she said no but then added that it can only harm little kids or pregnant women! Does anyone know about this? I am supposed to go to their house for Easter but my DH doesn't want me near him. insight? advice?

PS _ I have NEVER had chickenpox.

UPDATE: Ok, after more research, I found out that you cannot catch shingles unless you touch a sore, but anyone (like myself) who is not immune to chicken pox can catch them from someone with shingles, and that is VERY dangerous for the baby especially before 20 weeks! I thought i'd share in case anyone else out there is not immune.

Looks like I'll be spending Easter at home

Message edited 3/12/2008 11:25:37 PM.

Re: Is this dangerous?

shingles is caused by chicken pox.... if you ever had chicken pox or a vaccine, you likely would be unaffected by it...

I doubt pregnancy would reduce your immunity to the point you would get chicken pox a second time...

just to be sure, call your dr's office.

Re: Is this dangerous?

My sister had it a few months ago and I called my Dr and he said I can be around her I just can't touch her sores. Its not contagious like that.

Re: Is this dangerous?

Re: Is this dangerous?

From what I know you can only catch it from direct contact with the sores.

Re: Is this dangerous?

I would just call your doctor and ask. I think you'd be ok by Easter because I don't think it would still be contagious then.

Re: Is this dangerous?

My mom had it when my nephew was born. She did not go near the child or his mother until she was given a clean bill of health. I err on the side of caution as well.

Message edited 3/12/2008 10:57:18 PM.

Re: Is this dangerous?

A woman came into work with shingles while I was pregnant. I found out sitting next to her at a meeting. She told me her dr. told her it was not contagious unless you have contact with the sores. My OB confirmed.

Re: UPDATE Is this dangerous?

I had a student in my class with it. I had chicken pox as a child too but I still would not go into that classroom for the 2 days before Feb just to err on the side of caution.

IMO better safe than sorry.

Re: UPDATE Is this dangerous?

I would be nervous too! I also have never had chicken pox, nor am I immune!! I am always on the lookout for someone who has it. If I were in your shoes, I probably would stay home at Easter- because ya never know!! Call your OB and see what he/she says! Good luck!

Edit: spelling

Message edited 3/13/2008 6:48:14 AM.

Re: UPDATE Is this dangerous?

I've had shingles. Shingles is only contagious if you come in contact from the PUSS of a blister. Highly unlikely you will come that close to your BIL.

I was around my sister when I had shingles (before I knew I had them) and she was 6 months pregnant, and had a son under the age of 2. No one caught it from me.

As far as what would happen if you did catch it - people who never had chicken pox will get chicken pox and people who have had chicken pox will get shingles.

ETA - It takes 14 days for the blisters of shingles to surface. A person has actually had the virus (active in their system) for 14 days before they even know they have it. So, avoiding it is nearly impossible anyway.

Message edited 3/13/2008 7:01:10 AM.

Re: UPDATE Is this dangerous?

My mother had it when I was around 16 weeks. The doctors all agreed that as long as I wasn't exposed to the open sores and the sores weren't "weeping" that I should be fine. I did have chicken pox as a child though. He should keep the area(s) covered well and you should inform your doctor. I was told that if I was to develop it that it would show in about 7-10 days from exposure.

Re: UPDATE Is this dangerous?

I had shingles when my sister-in-law was pregnant and my doctor said we could be around each other, just to avoid touching, hugging, etc.

I had them on my face, so I just steered clear of her, but it was the holidays so I wanted to be with my family.

Supposedly someone can only get them if they are touching your scabs.