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Chicken pox - pregnant with Crohn´s

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Posted 12/30/2010 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I´m 25 weeks pregnant and our neigbour´s children (who we went to visit the other day) developped chicken pox.

I had this desease when I was little, so theoretically it should be fine should my kids get infected, but I worry a bit about the fact that I´m taking Imuran and I guess my immunity should be surpressed- isn´t there a chance that I catch it fot a second time? I know of people who had chicken pox twice...


Thank you fo all experience...
Posted 12/30/2010 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
I guess it is possible, but I think since you have had them already you should be okay. I would call your OB/GYN and discuss this with them. Good luck!
Posted 12/30/2010 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Nanners, I know there is not much point worrying about it much, if they catch we´ll deal with it, just wondering...
Posted 12/30/2010 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
They can run a blood test to see if you have a positive titer and usually get the results in 24 hours. The titer will tell them if you already have a resistance to chicken pox or not. While not common, it is possible to not develop solid resistance to chicken pox despite having had it as a child.

If you do not have a strong positive titer then the OB may want to consider putting you on an anti-viral med.

Read about chicken pox in pregnancy at this March of Dimes website:

www.marchofdimes.com/complications_chickenpox.html
Posted 12/30/2010 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
Patricia, that's excellent advice. In fact, I've been worried about this for my hubby since he's on Remicade, and he can't recall whether he had chicken pox or not. He doesn't have much exposure to kids, but you never know.

As you mentioned, I'll see what his blood test shows - I sure hope he has a high positive! :-)

Thanks for the excellent advice - definitely takes the guess out of the how risky it is.

PV
Posted 12/30/2010 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
I'm on Humira and I've never had chicken pox so I'm terrified of contracting it.

One thing I would add is that I've heard that people on biologics who've had chicken pox are at increased risk of getting shingles. So you might want to check on that with regards to being on Imuran. I'm not sure of the implications of shingles on pregnancy, if any.
Posted 12/30/2010 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
Our ped GI ordered the titer test before my son started Humira. My son was one of the ones that got the first round of immunizations for chicken pox. Now they recommend a series of 2 shots but by the time that info came out my son was already on 6-MP and couldn't have a 2nd immunization.

So they ran the titer and found that he was OK. Big sigh of relief from mom.

I think everyone should have this done before they start a biologic in particular. They can check for other things too like measles I believe.

The biggest concern with chicken pox in healthy adults is a particular very bad pneumonia that affects something like 15% of adults who catch it.

In pregnancy it can cause birth defects in 1-2% of cases.

Patricia
Posted 12/31/2010 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
Unfortunately I was on 6MP before I was put on Humira so I couldn't get it then either. I've had the titer and it turns out I've never been exposed. I have a script for Valtrex on hand at all times....I've had my daughter vaccinated...not sure what else I can do. I'm open to suggestions!
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