safe to be around someone with shingles?

teniseag

My Mom went to the doc today and we are pretty sure she has shingles.  She does not have any bumps/sores, but has all the other symptoms.  She had to go for an ultra sound today to make sure it wasn't anything else and we won't find out any results until Monday/Tuesday. 

My question is this: my mom and I are going out of town for my Baby Shower and will be staying in a hotel room, etc- and I was wondering if it is ok for me to be around her, as long as she doesn't have the rash.  I have already had chicken pox as a child, but I wasn't sure about safety of baby....any ideas? Thanks ladies!

KacieLeigh

I would DEFINITELY  call my doctor and make sure.  You really don't want that - especially if it could hurt LO.

mrs.schwery

Shingles are never contagious.  They are an infection of chicken pox that stay dormant under your skin.  I had them and DH put the cream on them for me and he did not get it.  You'll be fine.

blushingbrideoct07

DH had the shingles a few weeks back. ?It's totally safe if you have already had the chicken pox and you do not touch your mom's infected area. ?

I would not share towels or sleep in the same bed just to be safe cuz although you have had the chicken pox your unborn child has not. ?At least that is what our Doc told us. ? ?

Brownie_222

KacieLeigh:

I would DEFINITELY  call my doctor and make sure.  You really don't want that - especially if it could hurt LO.

This.  Also, FWIW, I had chickenpox as a child and had shingles as an adult, so it can happen.  GL.

teniseag

Thanks ladies- I am trying to get ahold of someone right now to double check on this before tomorrow.  I would rather be safe than sorry!

Brownie_222

You can also read about shingles here: https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/shingles/DS00098/DSECTION=risk-factors

suprchicy

If you've never had chickenpox, then no you shouldn't be around someone with shingles, because you can catch chickenpox from them.  But if you have, you are fine.  You don't get shingles from shingles, it's a herpes virus so, like cold sores,  it "reappears" but comes back as shingles rather than another case of chickenpox.

Blackvelvet

Brownie_222:

KacieLeigh:

I would DEFINITELY  call my doctor and make sure.  You really don't want that - especially if it could hurt LO.

This.  Also, FWIW, I had chickenpox as a child and had shingles as an adult, so it can happen.  GL.

Considering that is what shingles comes from (having had the chickenpox then you get shingles when it comes back)

Since you had the chickenpox it's no worse then you being around someone with the chickenpox

Mrs.DeliaMarieP

this is a question I would definitely ask my OB about.

Menah

I'm in nursing school and I was always told to stay away from patients w/ shingles.

NKufferman

OK - I just went through this saga with my BFF's mom.  Shingles are painful and can make a person bedridden depending on age.  Your mom may not be up to going anywhere.  While you can only get shingles if you have had the chicken pox - it is incredibly irresponsible to have them and go out in public as you can give someone chicken pox that never had them.  I have never had the chicken pox.  I was vaccinated about 12 years ago when my BFF's son exposed me to them, but when I got my pregnancy screenings they told me the vaccine didn't take - I did not have the immunity.  I can't get vaccinated again until I give birth.  Note:  I was told to work form home for 14 days (incubation period) when I was exposed as several people were pregnant in my office and several others hadn't had the chicken pox.

My friends mom was bedridden for months - she's very active, but in her 80's.  She was told point blank by her doctor that she was to go no where near me.  She could endanger me and the life of my unborn child.  I didn't see her until my shower (she got the OK from the Dr) at 33 weeks.

You should ask your Dr. if it is OK for you to be around her - it may be because you already had them.  I don't know that I'd have her go to your shower and be around larger groups of people as you don't know if your exposing someone who doesn't have the antibody. 

 

 

Cloaker

I actually had shingles during my first pregnancy.  As others have said, you should be fine since you've already had the chicken pox, plus she doesn't have a rash.  (In order to catch chicken pox from someone with shingles you have to have contact with the rash while it's blistered.)  To be on the safe side, you could just sleep in a separate bed and avoid touching towels she's used.