Shingles? At MY age??

stsdoc · Feb 17, 2004

Yep, shingles is contagious to anyone who hasn't had the chicken pox, and also to immunosupressed folks. It's caused by the varicella virus that is dormant in your body, so when it strikes again you shed the virus. It's not AS contagious as full-out chicken pox, but it IS contagious. You definitely don't want to be around the pregnant coworker, even if she's had the chicken pox. So probably no work for at least a week. If you worked in a small office and knew everyone's health history, maybe...but definitely not a hospital!!! I forget how long it's contagious, but you really need to be cleared by occupational health before you go back.
My boyfriend's roommate got the shingles last month, so I had to talk to the docs at work about it. They said it was fine for me to be around him since I've had the pox and have a good immune system. But of course, they said, if it was ME with the shingles I would be forced to stay home.
They put him on Valtrex to knock out the virus, and vicoden for the pain.
I hope you feel better soon!!!

Actually, if I'm not mistaken, you can only get shingles if you've had the chickenpox. If you haven't had chickenpox, you can get chickenpox (but not shingles) from a person who has shingles. Whew!:) In other words, the virus has to already be dormant in a person (via chickenpox) for them to develop shingles later on.

LittleCatB · Feb 17, 2004

LittleCatB - I wonder if maybe the school thing is okay because of some kind of immunization rule? Do they require that all kids have the varicella vaccine if they haven't had chicken pox before entering grade school? Maybe this is the reason they let her go to work. Ideas, anyone?

Out of curiosity I looked up the immunization requirements for FL (the state she's in) and it looks like you're correct:

http://www.doh.state.fl.us/disease_ctrl/immune/schoolguide.pdf

I checked it out for my state (MI) and the varicella vaccine is mandatory here, too. I had no idea; I have a 6 yr. old and when he got the chicken pox vaccine last year I assumed it was my choice... I guess this generation of kids won't have to deal with chicken pox scars, LOL

mitchsmom · Feb 17, 2004

stsdoc I think you are right.

In FL you have to get the chicken pox vaccine but also remember, there may be kids with waivers for medical or religious reasons, plus staff who haven't had it. The vaccine is also not 100% effective.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Feb 17, 2004

Well, I guess there's plenty of evidence that shingles isn't just an elderly person's concern! I don't feel so ridiculous now......but who'da thunk it when I never even had the chicken pox? (Although I did get exposed to it when my kids got it some 15 years ago.) I'm also glad I checked with the employee health nurse and got the green light to go in tomorrow......I can't afford to take any more sick days, I'm already going to have to postpone my surgery until late summer or even early fall now in order to build up enough vacation time.

Oh well, that's the way it goes! :rolleyes: But I WILL be sure to warn my pregnant and childbearing-age co-workers to stay away from me.....I'd hate for them to have problems because of my illness.

SmilingBluEyes · Feb 17, 2004

I truly hope you feel better SOON! See the doctor for antiviral tx. it does help. My cousin got shingles in her 30s, so yea, it can happen to anyone. One thing I learned is extreme stress can trigger it....go figure .

You are a nurse and have been sick. I am so sorry this happened to you. HUGS.

MikeLPN · Feb 17, 2004

Had a resident this weekend come down with BAD shingles. Examined by NP on Fri. PM for continuing headache. Started on Neurontin 100mg tid . Sat. AM on call gives new orders for Neurontin 300mg, amatriptyline 10 mg, zaroxolyn 2.5 mg (for increased l/e edema). Presenting with a reddened ear, continuing headache and a canker sore on Sat. nite. I checked her ear, neuros, vs, lungs, ambulated without problem (with O2) better than usual, excellent appetite, blood sugars good and decreased edema (she finally layed down and got some rest and I put TEDs on her at start of shift), cold pack to ear with slight relief, small lesion on tongue. Pretty much gold standard where I work. All seemed good with family present. And Thank God I Charted It

Now has totally swollen ear with lesions, open sores entire mouth infected and exacerbation of CHF. Transferred to hospital Sunday AM when she started to develop facial spasms/weakness. I feel kind of bad cause I was telling family that I thought she'd be OK and I'd keep an eye on it and we'll run it by NP on Mon. AM. Family stopped by to pick up some of her stuff and we talked about it tonite

OK, so what did I miss? Is this like shingles of the ear and mouth?

Gompers, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2004

Actually, if I'm not mistaken, you can only get shingles if you've had the chickenpox. If you haven't had chickenpox, you can get chickenpox (but not shingles) from a person who has shingles. Whew! In other words, the virus has to already be dormant in a person (via chickenpox) for them to develop shingles later on.

That's what I meant, sorry if it came out wrong. I was referring to the fact that when you have shingles, the varicella virus is shedding, so if you haven't had chicken pox you might end up getting them! :)

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2004

As an oncology nurse, I have had 80 - 90 year old ladies with shingles.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Feb 17, 2004

shingles medical info:

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/shingles_doc.htm

if you have shingles you should stay away from other people until the blisters have dried (usually about seven days), as there are virus particles in the blister fluid. the risk is that people who have not had chickenpox might catch that from you. http://www.medinfo.co.uk/conditions/shingles.html

uk_nurse · Feb 17, 2004

my son when he was 8 yrs old got shingles.not stressed, no worries no nothing.He had chickenpox when he was 4yrs old. Doctors were amazed at him getting it as they said it is very very rare children get shingles. He was on paracetamol and ibuprofen but had to watch his respiratory rate cos of ibuprofen, as he is asthmatic.He is 11 yrs old now and has scars on his back, but only noticeable if he has a suntan, which in England is not very often. He was in alot of pain but was very brave. To be honest i dont know how he coped.He is fine now.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Feb 17, 2004

I just got over a bout of shingles on my FACE! I was scared to death it would involve my eye, but thankfully it didn't. The pain was bad, but the worst part was the "creepy crawlies" all over my face! And the scabs, of course. I didn't leave the apartment until the swelling and draining were all over with and the scabs were about to fall off. My doctor told me to stay away from work until the scabs fell off . . . about 10 days, with no pay since I'm traveling right now.

Ortho_RN · Feb 17, 2004

MIne were the textbook case..... Started on my chest and wrapped around to my back.. Talk about intense pain, it felt like someone was sticking a needle straight into my nerves... And I was only 22 when I got it... Crazy