Chicken Pox and UC

I don't think it should, but I'm not a doctor or an immunologist. :) Her body should recognize the virus and be able to fight it, I'd think, even though she's on pred. And really, it's probably too late to do anything, as one is contagious about two or so days before the rash even shows up. You could call her GI or family doc just to double check, though.

I hope your 10 year old doesn't have too miserable of a time with it. I had a really bad case when I was about 4...pox in my mouth, even.

The chickpox virus is a permanent infection. The virus is dormant in the sensory nerves and can return as shingles. You do have to worry about shingles when you have a weakened immune system. That is why older people usually get shingles. People with shingles can give others chicken pox.

I don't think you have to worry at all about her getting reinfected with chicken pox since she already has the virus.

I should add that there is a chicken pox and a shingles vaccine.The shingles vaccine is normally given to seniors. I wonder if people with UC should get a shingles vaccine when they are younger?

I had shingles just after turning 40. My brother had it before 40. Very mild compared to what my dad got in his 70s.

Post Edited (AZYooper) : 12/9/2010 1:41:42 PM (GMT-7)

Your other child having chicken pox won't give your daughter shingles, since the virus is already in her body to begin with. The only things that can bring shingles about are things that weaken the immune system, like stress, drugs etc. Its pretty much the same principle as cold sores.

Shingles are possible if you are immunosuppressed. If you read the dragonpack board (for parents of kids who have IBD), shingles comes up sometimes especially with children are on remicade, 6MP etc. pred is not as much of an immunosuppressant but it might be a good idea to keep them away from each other for now.