Shingles - Kew Gardens,NY

Antiviral meds are a must! Cuts the amount of time and severity down. Where does she have it. I just took an occasional pain pill, if I really, really needed it. As far as it being contagious, only if person comes in contact with open sores. I had mine on my side and back so there was no chance of anyone catching anything.

1. Relief is mostly pain medication. Sometimes antiviral treatment is effective, some doctors try steroids. Your mom can get prescription pain meds from her doctor or take OTC pain medication.

2. Shingles are contagious for people who have never had chicken pox and have not been vaccinated (or who do not have sufficient immunity after vaccination). If your child is old enough to be vaccinated for chickenpox you should consider it.
Shingles is NOT contagious for people that have had chickenpox or are vaccinated (assuming their immunity from vaccination is sufficient). If you have had chicken pox the virus is already inside you and exposure to someone with shingles does NOT trigger shingles in you. VZV is a poorly understood virus, it can be dormant in the body for decades, we do not understand where exactly it hides and what brings it out of dormancy.

Good luck.

Ugh. I got the shingles last year. The anti-viral meds are only supposed to be effective if taken within 72 hours of first symptoms. I started taking Valtrex around 80 hours after waking up with a rash on my face, and it still worked! My swollen glands and bumpy rash went away within a week. It took a few months for the rash to completely heal though.

The best thing for your mom to do is get rest. Shingles tend to be brought on by stress. They are only contagious to people who have never had chicken pox OR didn't get vaccinated. A person can't catch shingles. A person with shingles can cause another person to catch the chicken pox. Your son probably already got vaccinated for chicken pox, so you don't have to worry about it. The virus is only contagious if the person touches the open sores.

My shingles only caused a mild discomfort to my face, but I've heard of other people who had excruciating pain from it. It is also much worse if the shingles attacks the nervous system or sensitive area. Hope your mom starts to feel better soon!

I had shingles in July. I was surprised since I am only 36. I have a two year old. I was not contagious to her because she received the chicken pox vaccine at one year.

As far as relief I just needed a little extra rest. The worst part was having to take the anti viral meds 5 times a day. I also found it helpful to take a half dose of children's benadryl before bed so I was more comfortable but not knocked out (this was my doctor's recommendation).

Also your mom will be contagious until the sores are completely dried up. It took a few weeks for me.

Good luck to your mom. I hope she is comfortable soon.

1. The doctor should have given her pain medication and an antiviral (like zorivax or valtrex).

2. Yes, shingles is contagious.to your son who has not yet had chickenpox.

EDIT: About contagion: Since you and your husband had the chicken pox either of you could get the Shingles from your mother. I'm guessing you're under 50 an therefore you couldn't have had the vaccination against Shingles yet. You ARE at risk for Shingles. Your child, in spite of having had the vaccination, could get Varicella ie. Chicken Pox albeit a milder case than otherwise. The window of contagion is really unclear. It's better not to be exposed until the person who has the Shingles has been on anti-virals for 48 hours.

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Unless your mother is taking anti-virals like Valtrex, you need to be aware that shingles is VERY contagious. Until I had been on anti-virals for 48 hours I wasn't allowed back at work because I work in an independent living center where myself, my coworkers, and our consumers all have compromised immune systems. I had it this past summer and I only just turned 39. The only pain alleviation is really going to be Advil or whatever OTC meds the doctor approves based on what works with other medications your mother may be on. My doctor didn't approve anything except Advil or Tylenol. Loose clothing that wouldn't stick to the wound, since mine could be covered by clothing, except mine was in the bra area. I did have to wear clean bandages when I did go back to work. At home, no bra.

In spite of having had it, I can't get the vaccination for it yet. Well, I could but insurance won't cover it because I'm not over 50 years old.

Your mom does have a risk of developing a bacterial infection in the sores. I actually did develop staph on top of the shingles. I have Fibromyalgia, so for me everything lasted far longer than the typical two weeks. It lasted over a month, actually. My scars are still bad but at least they're under my bra.

Anyway. To help prevent or control a bacterial infection, you need to get an anti-microbial anti-bacterial hospital grade cleanser that you can get CVS brand OTC. It's inexpensive and it works well. If you suspect that she has a bacterial infection though, don't hesitate to take her back to the doctor to have a culture taken so she can get an antibiotic. Her immune system is already compromised right now, so it would be difficult to fight off a secondary infection. Keeping the wounds clean is necessary. It helped me feel more in control, and the hot water from the shower helped ease some of the pain in my joints. Plus you can use the anti-microbial wash right in the shower.

She needs to stay hydrated, rested, and pay attention to what her body is telling her. She might just have aches and pains, or she might have joint pain or worse neuropathy. My all-over Fibro pain worsened a lot during and now after the shingles. For most people the neuropathy goes away, but be prepared for the possibility that the pain will linger. If your mom's pain becomes terrible, have her talk to the doctor about pain management. There's no shame in asking for help.

So very sorry for your mom. That's a very painful condition.

The fact that you had chickenpox means that you can get shingles. That's one reason why they made the vaccine 19 years ago.

I would talk to your doctor about the chance of contagion. I'm not sure about that. I would also talk to him/her about getting a shingles vaccination. My doctor told me that you don't HAVE to be as old as the recommended age to get it.

As far as support/relief is concerned, I think that helping her with housework, feeding her and doing errands is what she needs most.

Best of luck to your mom.

You know, I'd ask your pediatrician about shingles being contagious. I think that would be your best source of information. My niece's grandma had shingles before they had chicken pox, and their pediatrician told them they were fine because shingles wasn't contagious. So, ask your son's doctor, just to be safe.

Just my opinion.

Shingles is contagious but only to those with a weak immune system. Like all other Herpes viruses, it can only be contracted when weak. Antivirals (a product called Virostop by Enzymedica is a great overall anti-viral) are a must. You also need a good, repeat good, absorbable multivitamin that will build your immune system. The proper one can get rid of the discomfort of Shingles within a week. I've seen it!

Regards,
M.

P.S. L-lysine topical cream can help the immediate discomfort.

You can't get shingles but your son can get chicken pox (not shingles). I actually got shingles and was so scared I'd give it to my son but he got the vaccination and was ok.

Shingles are very contagious. Not only to your son but to you and your husband as well. I had shingles when my kids were little and I had to keep them covered so my kids would not be exposed, luckily they were on my back so they were easy to cover.
I was given a round of prednisone when I had shingles. Luckily mine really weren't very painful maybe it is because I caught it fast and started treatment right away. I know it is extremely painful for most people.

Try asking your Primary Care Physician. And/or ask your son's Pediatrician to see, how it may affect him.

Also, per what my Mom told me per what she heard (so take it with a grain of salt), people over a certain age, can take a vaccine/shot for Shingles. She had one. And she "heard" that if a person had chicken pox, the virus is in you.... and it can manifest later as Shingles, for some. And if older, then it is more "dangerous." That happened to a friend of her's.
I know at my local Walgreens, they have the Shingles shot, and it is for people over a certain age. Mostly Senior aged people. Or you can get it at your Doctor.

? Again, that is what I heard, from my Mom, so who knows.

It really depends on her and how it is showing up. For some people, they can't wear clothes it is so bad. It can get in your eyes, too (which is very bad and can be dangerous).

Where does she have it?
I'd ask her exactly what she might find helpful, and do that.

I'm not sure about the contagion aspect. Probably steer clear as much as is feasible would be a good first line of defense.