June 2015 Moms

MIL has shingles...

So my MIL got these bumps all over her face... She went to the doctor who told her originally it was cellulitis, she told them repeatingly she had a newborn grandchild and they told her repeatingly it was NOT contagious... She unfortunately has been watching my son daily... & she got to her last dose of antibiotics and called the doctor to let them know that it was not getting any better, so they asked to see her only to find out it is 100% shingles. I'm honestly terrified, I've heard such horror stories that a baby under 4 weeks getting chicken pox can be dangerous. I called the pediatrician who said they can't do anything until he has symptoms but I don't want him to get any symptoms in the first place! </3 does anyone have any insite or positive story so i can get out of my bubble of fear? :(
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Re: MIL has shingles...

  • Oh no! No ideas here, but I'm wishing you and LO well
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  • My husband has shingles and found out 2 days after our son was born. He has obviously been handling baby. His were on his chest. They said wash your hands and keep the sores covered until they scab. Our son hasn't shown any signs of chicken pox. Hubs also hasn't been allowed to share a room or bathroom with us though and we have gone through tons of lysol wipes and cleaned and washed everything
  • Oh no! I have not had experience but will keep you all in my thoughts!
  • Are you you breastfeeding by chance? Mama's milk passes antibodies to LO, so if you are baby might be partially "immune."
  • thay33thay33 member
    mcknzzee said:

    Are you you breastfeeding by chance? Mama's milk passes antibodies to LO, so if you are baby might be partially "immune."

    Unfortunately I am not! I heard this though which made me wish I was!
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  • thay33thay33 member
    apeschka said:

    My husband has shingles and found out 2 days after our son was born. He has obviously been handling baby. His were on his chest. They said wash your hands and keep the sores covered until they scab. Our son hasn't shown any signs of chicken pox. Hubs also hasn't been allowed to share a room or bathroom with us though and we have gone through tons of lysol wipes and cleaned and washed everything

    She didn't cover her sores which are on her face & she has been kissing him but I'm still hoping for the best! As far as not sharing a bathroom, I thought that if you got the vaccination as a child you were immune? Also I thought it was only skin to skin contact?
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  • jessieR358jessieR358 member
    edited July 2015
    Shingles is contagious to anyone who hasn't had chicken pox and is contagious thru the blisters. She needs to keep them covered! And I wouldn't let her hold my baby. No way. I'd be way too paranoid.
    Edit: if these bumps are "all over her face" I would be less suspicious of shingles. Granted I have no idea what they look like and I trust her doctor, but shingles isn't normally "all
    Over". It follows a dermatomal pattern that is normally one side of the body. I'd still keep her away from hugging and kissing all over the baby.
  • I had shingles when I was 36 weeks pregnant. I was contagious for 2 weeks. My family Dr said that if I was to deliver before my two weeks, than we could start the baby on anti virals...but we didn't go into specifics. They are only contagious through touch of the blisters. But I agree with PP, they usually aren't over and tend to follow a nerve pattern.
  • I've had shingles several times and even had an outbreak a few days after I had DS. I've never heard a Dr say I had them 100%. Unless they take a tissue sample from a blister I wouldn't take 100% as an answer. I've not had them on my face but mine usually come with lots of pain and in strips along my back, not all over but, sometimes it's wide strips. I hope its not shingles and if it is she's had it long enough to finish a prescription then maybe LO hasn't caught it since no symptoms have shown.

    Oh and acyclovir is safe for babies. Maybe your Dr can prescribe it just in case.
  • thay33thay33 member

    I had shingles when I was 36 weeks pregnant. I was contagious for 2 weeks. My family Dr said that if I was to deliver before my two weeks, than we could start the baby on anti virals...but we didn't go into specifics. They are only contagious through touch of the blisters. But I agree with PP, they usually aren't over and tend to follow a nerve pattern.

    devyns2nd said:

    I've had shingles several times and even had an outbreak a few days after I had DS. I've never heard a Dr say I had them 100%. Unless they take a tissue sample from a blister I wouldn't take 100% as an answer. I've not had them on my face but mine usually come with lots of pain and in strips along my back, not all over but, sometimes it's wide strips. I hope its not shingles and if it is she's had it long enough to finish a prescription then maybe LO hasn't caught it since no symptoms have shown.

    Oh and acyclovir is safe for babies. Maybe your Dr can prescribe it just in case.

    I would LOVE it if her doctor were wrong and I really hope he is wrong. As far as I know he didn't take any samples, just looked at her and immediately knew? & ill definitely ask my doctor about Acyclovir thank you so so much!
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  • @devyns2nd Isn't there a shingles vaccine now?
  • laurendutchlaurendutch member
    edited July 2015
    mcknzzee said:

    @devyns2nd Isn't there a shingles vaccine now?

    You have to be 60 to receive it
  • jessieR358jessieR358 member
    edited July 2015

    mcknzzee said:

    @devyns2nd Isn't there a shingles vaccine now?

    You have to be 60 to receive it
    A lot of insurance companies will cover over 50. I give this vaccine a lot at my job. However, insurance companies don't like to cover it. It's $225 out of pocket. Not cheap but great for the older population!
  • mcknzzee said:

    @devyns2nd Isn't there a shingles vaccine now?

    You have to be 60 to receive it
    I had one but, it didn't work. Apparently it only works well on people 60+.
  • devyns2nd said:

    mcknzzee said:

    @devyns2nd Isn't there a shingles vaccine now?

    You have to be 60 to receive it
    I had one but, it didn't work. Apparently it only works well on people 60+.
    Ew! That sucks!

    Sorry to hijack your thread @thay33 please keep us posted regarding your LO!
  • Breastfeeding will protect him
  • devyns2nd said:

    mcknzzee said:

    @devyns2nd Isn't there a shingles vaccine now?

    You have to be 60 to receive it
    I had one but, it didn't work. Apparently it only works well on people 60+.
    Who gave you the shingles vaccine in your 30s (assuming)???? It's not indicated by the FDA that young! So Inappropriate. Sorry, medical soapbox rant.
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