Exposed to shingles!! What would you do!?

[twinkie2]

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[SadakoS]

How exposed? The herpes virus can only be passed on through the liquid in the blisters, so it depends on your exposure really? I would imagine it would be best to mention to a midwife anyway though?

 

[Bumpontherun]

Unless you rubbed yourself against the rash there really isn't much risk. One of my colleagues has been at work with shingles for the last couple of weeks and I'm not concerned at all. Also if you are Varicella immune (which you should know from your booking bloods) then you have nothing to worry about. Finally, although chickenpox in pregnant woman can be dangerous in itself the risk of fetal varicella syndrome is much reduced after 28 weeks which is reassuring too since you're posting in 3rd tri.

I agree with the above though, if you are worried your midwife should be happy to reassure you.

ETA - I found this link which explains the risks with shingles and suggests what constitutes significant exposure - scroll down to page 7 if you don't want to read it all!

https://www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/guidelines/gtg13.pdf

 

[twinkie2]

Thanks for the responses ladies!! I had a huge long post that apparently I accidentally deleted when I posted Myself and my two girls have been around my dad at least 3 days in the past week and he was just diagnosed on Wednesday. The rash is on his torso/back so it's been relatively covered and he said it hasn't blistered. I'm just feeling stuck as my dad was our sitter for the girls when dh and I go to the hospital and I feel like I really shouldn't leave them with him now. And I'm worried about what if my mom somehow touches it and then is around the newborn? obviously baby won't have any immunity

 

[Bumpontherun]

Are you immune? If so baby should have passive immunity from you initially and this should continue if you breast feed. I think if you explain this issue to your parents it should be manageable. Your dad keeps the rash covered at all times and everyone else is super strict about hand washing. I would definitely speak to the midwife about the baby’s exposure though -I’m really not sure how good maternal immunity is. How long do you have to go? The best resolution would be that your dad’s spots have crusted over by the time you go into labour. Poor you - I can understand your worry xx

 

[twinkie2]

I have no clue if I'm immune! I had them when I was 2 but I understand some people can actually get pox more than once. I'm 40 weeks, so really any day now (seriously any day now kid!!) I've got an appt this morning so I can talk with my personal OB/family doc about this. I reached out last week, but he was out of town so I got a more generic response from another dr which I didn't feel gave me enough info (I know, being a worry wort!)