Exposure to Shingles

melimo · October 2014

Before I call the pedi and listen to the nurse eye roll me and then say "oh how I love FTMs" I wanted to pick your brains.

My son's bday was this past Thursday. My father hasn't seen him since January but invited himself over with my mother "for cake." He barely played with my son but was sneezing and coughing all over the place (per usual. This man is ALWAYS sick).

Fast forward to today when my mom texts me at work to say my father most likely has shingles. My son went to his 1 yr appt yesterday but didn't get the chicken pox vaccines. Granted even if he did it wouldn't have helped since he was exposed to my father before my father showed the physical rash.

My question to you is wait it out before seeking the nurses advice or freak out and wait for my son to develop chicken pox.

I rarely let my son spend time with my family and when I do this happens hahaha.

I did read online it can incubate 10-21 days after exposure to the virus so it could take weeks for him to develop any symptoms.

Thanks in advance for your help!

melimo · October 2014

Thanks! She is a real bitch. I hate that each dr has only one nurse to contact. I've only called one time when a student told me she was "getting over TB." I figured that was a valid question to call about.

melimo · October 2014

Thanks @breadandbutter07‌! I guess it's on his chest and back but he's not sure how long he's had the rash/blisters. He's the guy who will say he's been having chest pains for weeks when they go put a stent in his heart or will say he's been blacking out for months when he's admitted to the hospital. He's a real winner hahaha.

The nurse definitely needs a bitch slap of sorts. I mean would she rather FTMs or even STMs not ask questions and their kids end up really sick.

acethebase · October 2014

When I used to work in a nursing home we came across shingles all the time. The only way (I was told) that it can be transferred/and or you have a chance in getting it is if the blisters are open and oozing and you came into contact with them. If you haven't touched the oozing blisters then you are most likely fine. You can confirm with you doctor if you'd like but that's what the RN's told us.

OhSewCrafty · October 2014

breadandbutter07 said:

Where is his shingles located? Did he have any blisters at the party? If not, I wouldn't be worried about it, especially since you say he barely played with him. Shingles is not transmitted through coughing or sneezing, so that's good. My husband had shingles in his ocular nerve and scalp several months ago, which was scary for having DD around, but we were careful and she didn't catch it. I would mention it when you go back for shots though, just in case they want to do anything differently in light of that.

Uuuugh, I am so sorry for him. I had shingles in my ocular nerve in graduate school and it was absolutely awful.

I agree with all of this though, if it was on a covered area, I'd be less worried. Still keep an eye out, but don't lose sleep over it.

Marinowski · October 2014

I mostly lurk but happen to be a nurse so i will tell you what i know from that perspective. Shingles is caused by a dormant virus (the same virus as chichen pox) that becomes active in nerve cells. Unlike chicken pox, it is not airborne. The only way to catch it is physical contact with the open weeping blisters. So unless your dad was scratching it and touching everything or leaking through his shirt and your LO touched the blisters then put finger in mouth there is very low risk. My husband actually had shingles not long ago all up his shoulders and neck and before we knew what it was my daughter was touching it. Called the pedi who said keep is clean and covered and wash hands and you should be fine. She never got it. Of course call if you are conceren or a rash develops but hope this calms you a bit

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