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Kathryn
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| Posted: Dec 28 2010 at 8:34pm | IP Logged
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I was just diagnosed with shingles (much pain and horrible rash on my face) and am now very concerned about spreading chicken pox to my 3 month old.  Although I nurse hopefully that will help but I've apparently had this for at least 5 days now and am just worried she'll get it. Thank you for the prayers.
Update 1/5: I am much improved. Thank you so for the thoughts and prayers. Thank goodness for antiviral. I can't even imagine what my face would have looked like had I not started that. It was starting to look pretty horrid after just several days. In trying to keep some sense of humor, I came up w/ quite a few stories I could tell about why my face looked so bad: sky-diving, road rash from extreme bicycling, maybe even a dog attack.  I do still have at least 7 places that are "scary" but at least I can go in public again.
I went for a follow-up yesterday and he said the virus would naturally run its course in 14-21 days even w/o the antiviral but I can't even imagine. The pain was worse than any I've ever had and I'm still on 6 hr Tylenol intervals for the nerve pain but it is diminishing.
And sweet baby has shown no signs of the chickenpox virus. I see in my title I wrote newborn and I guess at 3 mos she's not so much a newborn but I guess that explains my state of deliria (sp?) when I wrote. And she is *my* newest born babe.
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Kathryn in TX
(dd 16, ds 15, dd 8, dd 5)
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Dec 28 2010 at 8:38pm | IP Logged
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hope this can help alleviate some worry..
CDC.gov wrote:
| Shingles cannot be passed from one person to another. However, the virus that causes shingles, VZV, can be spread from a person with active shingles to a person who has never had chickenpox through direct contact with the rash. The person exposed would develop chickenpox, not shingles. The virus is not spread through sneezing, coughing or casual contact. A person with shingles can spread the disease when the rash is in the blister-phase. Once the rash has developed crusts, the person is no longer contagious. A person is not infectious before blisters appear or with post-herpetic neuralgia (pain after the rash is gone). |
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So you're only contagious with direct contact to the rash and that only in the blister stage.
And you do share your immunities with a newborn through nursing so that should help too.
you might consider the Rhus Tox homeopathic remedy.. it's supposed to help prevent chicken pox.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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Kathryn
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| Posted: Dec 28 2010 at 8:41pm | IP Logged
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Thanks Jodie. Is chicken-pox dangerous for her though at 3 months? That's my concern.
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Kathryn in TX
(dd 16, ds 15, dd 8, dd 5)
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Angi
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| Posted: Dec 28 2010 at 9:14pm | IP Logged
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I am not sure how safe or unsafe it is for a baby that age, but she might not get it anyway. We exposed our children, directly to chicken pox, and they did not get it while nursing a lot.
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crusermom
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| Posted: Dec 28 2010 at 9:17pm | IP Logged
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Praying for you and your little one! My DD had chicken pox at 5 months. It was a very mild case because she was still somewhat protected by the breastfeeding. However, she did get shingles when she was 8 - because her immunity to the chickenpox was only partial. That was miserable and led to a week stay in the hospital. So, I would be careful as possible.
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Mary
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Booksnbabes
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Praying for you and your little one!
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Wife to wonderful DH, mom to SIX beautiful gifts from God!
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KackyK
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| Posted: Dec 28 2010 at 11:02pm | IP Logged
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One of my kids had the chicken pox at four months. She caught it from one of my vaccinated kids...go figure! Anyways, she literally only had 16 pox. The pediatrician said it was because she still had my immunity going on with her.
I'll pray for you. I'm so sorry it is on your face.
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KackyK
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Beginning With the Assumption
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mariB
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Praying for you and your baby!
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marib-Mother to 22ds,21ds,18ds,15dd,11dd and wife to an amazing man for 23 years
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stacykay
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When my #5 ds was 3 weeks old, my then 7yods got chickenpox. And of course he'd been holding his littlest brother a ton. #5 never got them, but I was nursing and have had chickenpox, myself. I don't know if it would be any different in your situation. I will pray for your sweet baby girl to not get it, and for you to have a super fast recovery!
In Christ,
Stacy in MI
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SeaStar
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Oh, no- a worry you don't need! Praying for a quick recovery. May Our Lady protect your little one 
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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hylabrook1
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Praying you are better soon and that your baby doesn't get chicken pox.
Peace,
Nancy
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4 lads mom
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Kathryn, you poor girl, I’m so sorry you are going through such a state right now!!  for you.....and for your precious baby. Keep us updated, okay? I would be curious to hear what happens with your little one, and to know that you are recovering!
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stefoodie
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praying for you and baby, Kathryn! dh had shingles a few years back and 3 kids got a mild form of chickenpox (despite them having been vaccinated).
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stef
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JodieLyn
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Yeah I agree, it seems that the youngest kids often get very mild cases.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
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MaryM
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Kathryn wrote:
| Is chicken-pox dangerous for her though at 3 months? That's my concern. |
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Not particularly so. It is considered potentially more serious for a neonate - if baby contracts it in utero right before birth, is exposed during birth process, or contracts it in first few weeks. So they have extra precautions of isolating a baby from a mother with chicken pox up to 3-4 weeks post partum. Older than that, generally has the same prognosis as an older child, so you don't need to be concerned in that regard.
Shingles is not as contagious as chickenpox which is an advantage. Since you said the rash was on your face, avoid face contact with baby. It's good that it isn't on your trunk/chest as that would be a significant exposure issue with breastfeeding. Let's pray it does not spread. Breastfeeding babies, as mentioned, often do only get a mild case or none at all due to the antibodies they directly receive from mom to help fight the infection. The more exposure, the greater chance a baby has of developing it though. That is why a baby is unlikely to get it from a single casual exposure, but often does get it when it goes through multiple family members.
I'll be praying that she doesn't get it or that it is mild (but hopefully enough to impart lifelong immunity - because if they have to get it, you want it to count...) And I'll be praying for your recovery and comfort. No fun to have such a painful/uncomfortable condition with a baby to take care of  .
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Mary M. in Denver
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guitarnan
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I am praying...
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Chari
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Prayers! and
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4Real Forums : We Pray to the Lord
Topic: SHINGLES!!! and newborn-update
