[sonuptosondown]

Hi,
My MIL is coming to visit tomorrow and she just told us her coworker has shingles and has been coming to work with her. My dh did a quick online search and found it's not contagious.

Does anyone have any other info about shingles, like is it really not contagious, is it safe for a pg woman to be around, etc.?

Thanks so much, I really appreciate it!!
Deb

 

[myfairbabies]

Shingles isn't contagious (ie you can't get shingles from them) BUT you can get chicken pox from them. However, you have to actually come in contact with the sores, or with fluid from the sores. You can't catch it from the person sneezing or something. So, your mil would have to catch cp from this lady, and then she could pass that on to you if you are not immune (and as you probably know, cp is contagious). I'm 99% sure this is accurate info, but if not, someone please correct me!

 

[nerin]

:

that's my understanding as well. basically, regardless of whether your MIL gets CP from the coworker, if YOU've had chicken pox before, you're OK.

 

[sonuptosondown]

Thanks so much, guys! I've got a call in to my ob but it'll be a while before the nurse calls back, I'm sure.
So it sounds so far like it's ok for her to visit. My MIL doesn't know if she's ever had cp or shingles, but she's not showing any symptoms. I had cp as a kid. I was worried about the baby in my tummy, since he hasn't had cp.

It would really stink if she couldn't come--it's my son's 8th birthday and he and the other kids are so looking forward to seeing them this weekend!

 

[myfairbabies]

Your OB probably did bloodwork in the beginning of your pregnancy to see if you are immune to CP and rubella, but since you had it, and she's not showing symptoms, and it's a big family event, I probably wouldn't worry about it. Just be extra cautious with lots of hand washing and don't let her share drinks or food with you or the kids. If you can't get CP, then your unborn baby can't get it either!

 

[sonuptosondown]

OK, I see. I should definitely remind her no sharing food/drinks. She's bad with that.
And it's not really a big event--just us and grandma and gaga and they're staying overnight. The boys both had b'day parties with kids last year and we decided no kid parties this year--I am so not a party person--mean mommy!

 

[User101]

Moving to Health and Healing

 

[sonuptosondown]

OK, sorry. I should have titled it "info about shingles and pregnancy", though, would that have helped keep it where I needed it?

 

[User101]

Info about shingles and pregnancy is covered in Health and Healing as well.

You could also try the general pregnancy forum.

 

[JD5351]

My Sweetie just got over a horrible case of Shingles. My dr was not concerned since I've had chicken pox.