Help

I just found out someone in my office has shingles. I am still in my first trimester and have heard this can be bad. I left a message for the dr. Has this ever happened to anyone? Thanks.

Message edited 5/24/2005 9:30:38 AM.

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Do you think that you might have caught it?

If not, you have to be incredibly careful. It's contagious, and could be passed to the fetus.

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you can't be anywhere near her.....well, first of all she should not be at work!!

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I will say don't worry! Even though its hard. The day I gave birth to Andrew, my MIL came to visit me in the hospital. Luckily, she came late, so the baby was in the nursery. So I told her to come back the next day for grandparents visiting hours. But she called me the next morning to tell me she wasn't feeling well and was going to the doctor. Turns out she had shingles!! My obgyn said not to worry, but don't let her handle the baby. If your PG, I would just keep away and wash often.

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Have you ever had the Chicken Pox? If so, do not worry. Shingles is not contagious at all unless you have never had the Chicken Pox. Chicken Pox is dormant in the nervous system and can possibly come "out" as shingles during low immunity, high stress, and certain other viruses.

Any questions, feel free to ask.

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Posted by Nancy
If a mother has had chicken pox (this can be verified by taking blood and testing for immunity) the mother's antibodies will protect her and the unborn child.
If she isn't immune to varicella, her Dr will give her an antibody (which is important in the first 96 hours of exposure) varicella-zoster immune globulin which should be effective.
Of course she should be careful, however, she stated that she put in a call to the OB already letting him know.
I also was in my first trimester (I've had CP) and my daughter received her Chicken Pox shot and that was cleared by her Pediatrician because I had immunity.

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Thank you for al your advice. I spoke with the OBGYN and they send me for some bloodwork, but did not think it wa a big deal since I had chicken pox.

Thank you again