Sister-in-law has chicken pox worried about her 1month twin babies

Mimi2RN, ASN, RN · Dec 2, 2003

If she has already had a temp, or broken out, the babies have been exposed. I don't know if it would make any difference if she breast feeds or not, at this point. That's the problem with chicken pox, by the time you know you've got it, it's been passed on.

I hope all goes well with her and the babies.

BarbPick · Dec 2, 2003

Viral transmission. Nothing anyone can do, just wait it out.

allnurses Guide · Dec 2, 2003

Originally posted by chugs
Please help, she's a worried. here are the facts i have.

1. she has contracted the chicken pox
2. she got vaccinated about 1 week ago (because another relative caught it)
3. she is showing symptoms and the doctor says she does have it.
4. she never had chicken pox before
5. she has twins (1 boy, 1 girl) who are one month old.
6. she never had the chicken pox because she's from india and only emigrated less than a year ago.

So the questions are.

Can she breast feed? (does she have any antibodies that will help or hurt the babies)

How much contact can she have with the babies, if any at all?

Is it correct to assume the babies are to young to be vacinnated.

what other precautions (obviously other than contacting a pedetrician) do you recommend.

Thank you in advance for reading my long post, and any insights you can provide.

I checked a bunch of breastfeeding site and they all said to breastfeed as the babies have already been exposed and breastmilk is great for antibodies, see the following quote from La Leche League:

"Mothers have breastfed their babies through a variety of illnesses, from colds and infections to chronic conditions including asthma and diabetes. Your baby is exposed to any illness you have before you know you are sick. One of the beauties of human milk is that when your body makes antibodies to combat an illness, these antibodies are passed directly into your milk, giving protection and disease-fighting abilities to your baby, too"

You do need to contact a physician however.

Best wishes.

steph

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Dec 2, 2003

The most contagious time is a couple days BEFORE you break out so go for the breastfeeding with a vengance to give them some immunity. If it was me I would go to the doc and let him/her know. I know we used to put immunosuppressed children on Acyclovir when they had been exposed to chicken pox, before they ever broke out.

oramar · Dec 2, 2003

Is gamma globulin of any use in this situation?

Jolie, BSN · Dec 3, 2003

Chicken pox is spread thru respiratory droplets, so good handwashing is of the utmost importance. She may also want to wear a mask when she is handling the babies.

I'm not aware of any reason to interrupt breastfeeding, and believe that it would have a protective effect by passing on her antibodies to the babies.

She needs to contact her pediatrician immediately to see if the doctor recommends VZIG (varicella zoster immune globulin). It may provide temporary, passive immunity, or decrease the severity of infection in the infants.

Good luck to her.

oramar · Dec 5, 2003

Just wondering how this situation is progressing. It must be terrible to be ill and be caring for two new born infants. Not to mention the fact that the mother is not completely recovered from her delivery at this point.