Have shingles in the face and i have my grandchild who is only 8 months old not yet had vaccine

Posted , 5 users are following.

Hi I'm concerned on what to do about my 8 month old granddaughter who lives with me and I have just had a shingles outbreak and she has not had her chicken pox vaccine yet

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Posted

    I had shingles in the face and was due to host a   a big family party for my Mother's 90th birthday.a few days after diagnosis! I did go ahead but was very careful not to hug anyone, and luckily the rash was not visible as mostly on my head, i was told to avoid young children and anyone pregnant ( luckily noboby was), If i were you I would get the dr's advice, but i know that if anyone is in contact with the rash they can be at risk of catching chickenpox. Do not share towels etc or hold your grandchild  anywhere near your head. Good Luck!!

  • Posted

    I would check with the doctor.

    Mine told me that if a tear from my eye falls on a baby the baby can get infected.

     

  • Posted

    Dear Shell,

    First, I am so sorry you have this painful disease. Hopefully, you have started the antiviral, immediately.

    You are contagious to your granddaughter until every vesicle- blister has scabbed over. Then they no longer contain the infectious viruses. Unfortunately, your face is difficult to cover, but even your tears can contain the virus. You should not care for your granddaughter until the scabs have all appeared. This can be up to a three to four week process, depending on how extensive the rash is on your body.

    You really need to rest anyway, as Herpes Zoster-Shingles is more than just pain and a rash. You have a virus circulating in your blood stream, causing symptoms such as headache, fever, chill, sweating, aches, pains, fatigue and exhaustion.

    Did your physician give you a potent analgesic for the pain? If the pain is not controlled during the initial phase, it makes one more susceptible to Post Herpetic Neuralgia PHN.

    I am a Nurse Practitioner in the States and have recurrent Herpes Zoster-Shingles in my right ear every three to five weeks for the past twenty years and twice in my right eye.

    Best wishes

    Merry Juliana

    • Posted

      Hi MJ and thank you for your reply...I have no one to help me with my grandchild it's just her and myself so I'm trying to be very careful .....today my eye won't stop weeping put gloves and mask on everytime I pick her up using bleach on everything I touch gloves or not ..I did start my medicine yesterday ...again thank you for your time and reply much appreciated ..shell

    • Posted

      I am so very sorry for you as I know how awful shingles is, I have had it recently in my eye, forehead and head . I remember the stage of the eye watering  every morning when i woke up, and it would take at least 30 minutes before the vision was clear, my eyesight has not been affected though although i get a really bad itching eye after almost 5 months, I really hope that you have friends who can give you a break as you will fell tired and unwell and you will need rest, It's  so hard to have to look after a young child when you are not feeling good, I wish you luck and hope it is just a mild case, 

    • Posted

      Hi Jane thank you for your reply . ..I just moved and haven't meet to many people yet ....it helps having words of encouragement....today the eye has been watering like mad and doing all I can to keep my lili ok.....it's hard though several of these evil spots have started to pop but it has relieved the painful pressure a little .......and so far lili is ok ...smiles this day has brought me thank you again have a beautiful day

    • Posted

      I hope you don't feel too tired, I wasn't too bad and I had my Grandson round adfter a few weeks, but just found that I got tired more quickly, Try to rest when she has a nap if possible!

  • Posted

    Shell83819,

    Hope you feel better soon.  I cant imagine how hard this must be for you.

    Best wishes from the midwest!

     

    • Posted

      Hi thank you all the nice words from do many have been a blessing and help I just hate that the reason that brings us here us something so painful but I smile because the blessing is much more to feel that there are still warm hearts in this world thanks you much

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