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January 2012 Moms
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Shingles?

stacee55jstacee55j member
in January 2012 Moms
So a co-worker of mine is home sick with the shingles. I haven't had direct contact with her but her office is right across the way from me and we obviously share common spaces. I've had the chickenpox so I called my doctor's office and the nurse told me that if I've had the chickenpox then I'm probably immune so just watch for symptoms. I asked her - so you are sure I don't need to come in for a blood test to test my immunity? And she said I did not. I'm sure I'm probably immune but one of my girlfriends just told me she had the chickenpox twice! So I'm sure not everyone is immune if they've had it. Am I ridiculous for stressing over it? I'm sure we are exposed to this sort of thing or worse all the time and have no idea. I didn't even know she was out with the shingles and has been since Friday until someone mentioned it in passing today!
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Re: Shingles?

  • lamphelelamphele member
    All I know is that I had chickenpox at 9 months old and then got shingles at 23.  It hurt like hell and my doctor told me to say as far away from pregnant woman as possible.  I had to miss a week of college classes because we had two pregnant women there. 
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  • bigbearbigbear

    The only way you can get shingles is if you had chickenpox first!!! That is the same virus and it comes back in shingles form. Not sure what the nurse is talking about!

     

    Also I should add that my brother, mom and DH all had chickenpox and all had shingles! And pregnant women as well as young kids and/or any person who has not been vaccinated or has had chicken pox should stay away.

     

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  • stacee55jstacee55j member
    Well I did read that you can have chickenpox and then the virus stays in your body and can reactivate itself and then you develop shingles later in life. But I guess you can still not pass on chickenpox or shingles to others if they are immune...even though I guess you can give it to yourself.
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  • stacee55jstacee55j member
    Well if someone has shingles they can pass on chickenpox to someone who is not immune...it's basically the same virus.
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  • rebelina1rebelina1 member

    I had chicken pox when I was 16 and I got shingles when I was 25.  From what my Dr. told me you can only get the shingles if you have had the chicken pox because it is a dormant strain of the chicken pox virus that lives in your body and resurfaces.

    I would double check with your Dr. instead of trusting the nurse.  I have heard that pregnant women should not be around anyone with shingles.

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  • DEBBIE33CASEYDEBBIE33CASEY
    I had the same thing happen when I was in 1st tri with DD and my Dr. didn't want a blood test.  I wanted to freak out, but luckily nothing happened.  And in my line of work I'm sure I've been exposed to many other shingles infections unknowingly.  Luckily I've not gotten it!
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  • RNmommyof2RNmommyof2 member
    Chicken pox and shingles are caused by the same virus. Anyone who has had chicken pox can get shingles.
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  • rachel.wengerrachel.wenger
    I was just exposed to someone that developed it.  Apparently symptoms can take 2 to 3 weeks to develop.  I called my doctor and she said to come in if I notice any symptoms, but that I shouldn't worry too much.  I'm on weekly appointments now too, so I see enough of my doctor.  :-)
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  • PsyDr04PsyDr04 member
    I've read that it's not contagious if you've already had chickenpox, but my friend currently has shingles and I'm staying the hell away from her regardless, especially since it's taken me 2 weeks to get over a cold I'm pretty sure I caught from her 14-month-old daughter.
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  • JWSchwarzJWSchwarz member
    It's not true that having chicken pox means you'd be immune to shingles!! I had chicken pox when I was little, and I've had shingles 3 or 4 times in my adult life (it's kind of unusual but I guess I'm special). I don't know how contagious it is, but if you have any itching or bumps I would go to the dr and demand they put you on the mess for it. Last toime I had shingles they didn't believe me and I had to wait a few days and go back before they would give me meds. Not something you want right before you deliver!!
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