fishie
04-11-2005, 08:47 AM
Hey there everyone, I'm kinda new at this, but anyway...
I'm 18 and I've had shingles for about two weeks (most unpleasant, I can tell you) and the rash is just about starting to heal. I was wondering if it'd be okay to get on a plane to Spain next week as I have a study visit over there that I'd rather not cancel?
I know that it's only contagious through direct contact, so surely provided I keep covered up everything will be dandy...?
Apologies if this is in the wrong place but I didn't really know where else to go... I don't wanna waste my doctor's time (and he tends to laugh at me when I'm ill, anyway).
Thanks,
Simon
I'm 18 and I've had shingles for about two weeks (most unpleasant, I can tell you) and the rash is just about starting to heal. I was wondering if it'd be okay to get on a plane to Spain next week as I have a study visit over there that I'd rather not cancel?
I know that it's only contagious through direct contact, so surely provided I keep covered up everything will be dandy...?
Apologies if this is in the wrong place but I didn't really know where else to go... I don't wanna waste my doctor's time (and he tends to laugh at me when I'm ill, anyway).
Thanks,
Simon
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Fruit Loop
04-11-2005, 10:28 AM
you need to find a new Dr if he is laughing at you when you are sick. Shingles is not funny, neither is your question. Unfortunately I don't have an answer for you, I honestly think you should call A Doctor for the answer.
Sonflower1116
04-11-2005, 12:52 PM
Shingles are an outbreak of rash or blisters on the skin that is caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox, the varicella zoster-virus. My MIL suffered from shingles later in life and I was her care-giver and did not contact it. I've never heard or knew of shingles being contagious, though I may be mistaken. How about phoning your local Health Dept. or even your pharmicist, if you're hesitant about asking your doctor?
Personally, I would telephone my doctor and ask anyways, and just let him laugh, even if he's that unsensitive to your concerns, at least you'll (hopefully) get your answer and be on your way to Spain. Then I would find another doctor who is more patient-considerant the next time.
Have a wonderful trip to Spain. :wave:
Personally, I would telephone my doctor and ask anyways, and just let him laugh, even if he's that unsensitive to your concerns, at least you'll (hopefully) get your answer and be on your way to Spain. Then I would find another doctor who is more patient-considerant the next time.
Have a wonderful trip to Spain. :wave:
ScruffyGuy
04-11-2005, 01:37 PM
Shingles itself is not contagious. However, this is the same virus that causes chicken pox. An individual who has NOT ever had chicken pox CAN contract chicken pox from a person who has shingles IF the blisters are broken and skin to skin contact with the infected liquid occurs.
A person must have the chicken pox virus in their body in order to get shingles. It works likes this: you get chicken pox, it goes away. The virus remains inactive and dormant in your body. The virus is reactivated at some point in life (stress, other diseases, injury, whatever). The virus creates the condition of shingles. Shingles goes away eventually. The virus remains in your body in a dormant state. Usually this is the LAST time it ever bothers you, though in VERY RARE exceptions it can cause more problems later.
So... you MUST have the virus ALREADY DORMANT within your body to get shingles. And a person with shingles can ONLY transmit the virus to someone who has NEVER had chicken pox before. THAT person would get chicken pox, NOT shingles.
Therefore, it is proper and polite to be concerned with the safety of others since the virus CAN be transmitted -- even if the resulting illness would be different.
If the rash has healed and there are no more weeping blisters -- you are no longer contagious. If you DO have weeping blisters -- it would be polite to keep your skin covered.
Hope that info helps.
Also, one more thing... being a young person, you will probably recover very quickly from shingles. But do be aware -- peripheral nerve pain, tingling and twitching sensations can often last for a few years after the disease has ended. This is normal and will not cause permanent damage. But since you are very young -- probably the after-effects of shingles will be minimal or possibly not even noticeable at all. Just didn't want you to worry if you feel some nerves tingling in six months from now -- that's to be expected. You will NOT be in severe pain -- you'll just feel some tingling and at the most, minor discomfort which will be sporadic at best.
It's "good" you got this out of the way early in life. Shingles can be MUCH worse for older adults.
Have a good trip.
A person must have the chicken pox virus in their body in order to get shingles. It works likes this: you get chicken pox, it goes away. The virus remains inactive and dormant in your body. The virus is reactivated at some point in life (stress, other diseases, injury, whatever). The virus creates the condition of shingles. Shingles goes away eventually. The virus remains in your body in a dormant state. Usually this is the LAST time it ever bothers you, though in VERY RARE exceptions it can cause more problems later.
So... you MUST have the virus ALREADY DORMANT within your body to get shingles. And a person with shingles can ONLY transmit the virus to someone who has NEVER had chicken pox before. THAT person would get chicken pox, NOT shingles.
Therefore, it is proper and polite to be concerned with the safety of others since the virus CAN be transmitted -- even if the resulting illness would be different.
If the rash has healed and there are no more weeping blisters -- you are no longer contagious. If you DO have weeping blisters -- it would be polite to keep your skin covered.
Hope that info helps.
Also, one more thing... being a young person, you will probably recover very quickly from shingles. But do be aware -- peripheral nerve pain, tingling and twitching sensations can often last for a few years after the disease has ended. This is normal and will not cause permanent damage. But since you are very young -- probably the after-effects of shingles will be minimal or possibly not even noticeable at all. Just didn't want you to worry if you feel some nerves tingling in six months from now -- that's to be expected. You will NOT be in severe pain -- you'll just feel some tingling and at the most, minor discomfort which will be sporadic at best.
It's "good" you got this out of the way early in life. Shingles can be MUCH worse for older adults.
Have a good trip.
fishie
04-12-2005, 11:07 AM
Hey everyone,
Thanks very much for the advice, I phoned up my pharmacist anyway to confirm and she told me exactly the same as you guys.
You've really been a fantastic help, and I really can't thank you enough! I can look forward to things now.
Best wishes + all my love,
Simon
Thanks very much for the advice, I phoned up my pharmacist anyway to confirm and she told me exactly the same as you guys.
You've really been a fantastic help, and I really can't thank you enough! I can look forward to things now.
Best wishes + all my love,
Simon
lovemygrandma
04-13-2005, 12:19 AM
OMG!!! Please talk to your DR. If you come into any contact with a pregnant woman you can transmit it to the unborn child and cause one miscarriage or severe birth defects. I cant believe your Dr. did not inform you of this since he/she doesn't know if you could have had a pregnant relative or gf. LMG.