Pregnant with shingles....advice please

[ess]

I'm 25 weeks pregnant and have been told today I had shingles a few months ago. The rash and pain has persisted which is why I went to my GP. He gave me a cream to apply but I'm wondering are there any risks to my baby?Also, am I still able to pass chickenpox on to anyone as this is the same virus? Thanks.

[MatNanPlus]

the risk is high when a pregnancy is in first trimester.

If you scratch the spots and then touched someone on an open wound then they could develope symptoms.

[ess]

Thing is I'm not sure when I first got this. The pain has continued due to neurological damage of my nerves. It was my osteopath that told me to go to my doctor. A bit worried now. Maybe I should phone NHS Direct?

[3littlefrogs]

You really need to see your consultant obstetrician so that you can sit down and talk it through with someone experienced. If you are having shared care between your GP and hospital you can phone the hospital antenatal clinic in the morning and ask to speak to the midwife in charge and get a slot in the next clinic.

Otherwise your GP should organise an appointment for you. In the meantime you could try to think back to when you first had symptoms, and jot down anything that might help to establish the timescale. - that will help the doctor to advise you.

I am sorry you are having this worry, I hope you can be seen quickly.

[ess]

Thanks for that advice. I did an internet search which just confused the hell out of me!Own fault really. I'll phone the hospital in the morning and see what they recommend. I think I've had these symptoms for months which may not be good but both scans have been fine. I'll have to stay positive until I know something definate. Thanks again.

[3littlefrogs]

Hello again - I have been thinking about this. I couldn't find much on the internet, but thinking logically, shingles is not something you "catch". It is a response to the chicken pox virus, dormant in your body from whenever you had chicken pox, probably as a child. So presumably you have antibodies already, therefore I think the chance of it being a problem in pregnancy would be extremely small.

You would be much more of a risk to other people because they could catch chicken pox from you.

I suppose it depends whether you developed the shingles as a response to another illness/virus, or whether it was down to stress, morning sickness or whatever.

I hope you get some reassurance and advice asap.

[jellysmummy]

I am the product of a shingles pregnancy and I am now a mostly normal nearly 42year old with two los.
I think my hsuband would argue with the normal tag tho'

[MatNanPlus]

How did your phone call go today Ess??

[robcat]

i had shingles 2 years ago .think i have them coming back .is there always a rash . i have had the same symptoms as before but not so severe 3days in .will i know by the rash or is that not always the case. use co-codamal for pain .i am a man and this is my first post do not know if i am in right section advice would be helpful thank you in advance ,

[dishwashervodkaanddietirnbru]

nhs says no risk to baby. Shingles can recur at any time especially if you are feeling run down.