contact with immunosurpressed people

Hi Vanessa,

I am sorry you are experiencing shingles.

How long have you had the shingles?

Where are the shingles?

Are you on the antivirals and for how long?

Have the lesions crusted over?

Also,

when you say your mother and father are immunocompromised, would you be more specific, please?

Cancer receiving chemo or radiation, vs Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, Psoriasis receiving immunomodulating drugs?

It just helps to know more details .

Thank you.

Merry

Vanessa

Either ring 111 and ask for advice or visit a pharmacist, providing you know what medication your mother and father are currently taking.

 

Hi Vanessa,

As the lesions are on your hip, have crusted over, and shall be covered with clothing, your parents should not be in danger from contracting shingles. The danger occurs when lesions are newly forming in the vesicles-blisters stage, can rupture easily, and then infect one which is immunocompromised. I hope this helps.

Merry

You only pose a risk if they never had chicken pox and come into contact with the fluid from your shingles.  Otherwise, there is no danger to them ~ or to other people in the same situation.

Re: risk of transmission

I read Susan's comment. Usually people over a certain age have had chickenpox and therefore cannot contract chickenpox from you. There are rare instances when an individual contracts it twice, or was misdiagnosed and with an adult who is immunocompromised, it would be risky. Again, as your lesions have crusted, and therefore have no fluid, and also will be covered, your parents are safe.

Besides what the other people have told you, like the blisters and fluid being Mostly the infectious part, if you want to be extra cautious, go to a pharmacy that has medical supplies. They will have special bandages that are special barrier safe bandages that block out anything that is infectious. I had a severe bout of my reoccurring shingles, and my stepdaughter had just had a liver transplant. I did it also for her to feel comfortable and know what steps I wud go to to protect her, besides for double protection.Hope you feel better. You will more than likely have lingering symptoms and aftereffects. I been having reoccurring Shingles for 35 years. It's actually a blessing to have 1 episode! Take care.