[katiecelt]

hi everyone, I can vagely remember when I was diagnosed the specialist saying something about chicken pox and lupus but my memory is that bad now I cant recall the details. I have just spent a feew days with my grandaughter and yesterday she came out in chicken pox. Does anyone know if there is a problem with chicken pox and lupus?
katiecelt

 

[greenhaggis]

have you had chickenpox yourself? if you have had then it not likely for you ever to catch it again (most GP's will say never).

check the NHS Direct for chickenpox they give the advice that should reassure you!

Take care

Lesley

 

[cath]

Hi Katie,

What meds are you on?

Are you taking Azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate or rituxan?

Are you currently neutropaenic?

Of the answer to all these questions is no and you did have chichenpox as a child then your risk is very very small that you'll get it fro her.

If you are on these meds or didn't have it as a child, you should call your rheumy and get his advice. Some will prescribe a course of antivirals to protect you.

All the best,

X C X

 

[applesauce]

When your immune system is suppressed by meds like the ones mentioned above (in my experience, especially rituxan, I spend all year with cold after cold when I get it) you're more likely to get sick in general, and chicken pox can be serious in an adult ESPECIALLY if you can't fight it off, that's probably what he was saying. I think the vaccine is live? Did I make that up? If that's the case you probably can't get the vaccine either.

 

[hattycat]

i was told that on prednisone you should try not to come into contact with anyone who has chickenpox, and if i did to get straight down the gp for antivirals if i started showing any symptoms....i came into contact with someone with chicken pox last year and managed to contract it even though i had a bad dose when i was younger.
If you're worried, I would phone a doc for advice.

 

[Countrywoman]

Shingles from chickenpox

Please note that it is possible to develop shingles from being exposed to an individual with chickenpox. I hope you are okay, and didn't have any problems from your exposure.

C.W.

 

[ppfrjasmo]

Shingles

It turns out that I don't have a clue who I was exposed to that had chicken pox but I got shingles last fall. There is a vaccine out now for shingles run don't walk to your Dr. and ask about getting it IF you haven't already had shingles. I have a friend that has Lupus and she has had shingles several time each time taking more out of her. My Dr said he couldn't give me the vaccine since I'd already had the shingles. I don't think they affected me as badly as I've heard others talk about.

 

[cath]

Hi,

Can I offer a correction to the last two posts. It is not possible to catch shingles from someone elses chickenpox. If you have had chickenpox in the past the virus lays dormant in the nerves and can reactivate at a later time as shingles, but you can't catch shingles as your primary (first) illness. Just to clear up confusion....

http://www.dermatologychannel.net/viral_infection/shingles.shtml

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/herpeszoster.htm

X C X

 

[greenhaggis]

(((Cath)) - you are totally correct!

Old Wives Tale re. Shingles springs to mind!

There are many of these misplaced tales around even for medical problems and it causes so much stress!

I'm glad you have posted some more links and I hope people start to read them and take note and do not just listen to advice on line!

Lesley

 

[Clare.T]

Thank you Cath for these useful and reliable sites
Both these sites represent the generally held medical opinion although here and there you can read conflicting info on certain points.

FYI the shingles vaccine for over 60's hasn't yet been approved in the UK. Kids aren't routinely vaccinated against chickenpox in the UK either, since they reckon its effectiveness isn't worth the cost.

Use of immunosuppressants including long term steroids means that people with lupus are very likely to suffer shingles, if they have had chickenpox.

The stresses of living with chronic illness also makes us more vulnerable.

Keep well and take reasonable care

Clare