Chicken Pox

Sharon2960

Looks like our little granddaughter has got chickenpox! I'm fairly sure I should stay away, due to being on sulfasalazine? Any advice would be greatly appreciated please!

stickywicket

Not sure about sulph but those of us on meth definitely have to avoid it.

dreamdaisy

Keep your distance! Sulph suppresses the immune system so it's not worth the risk, especially at this time of year. DD

LignumVitae

I'd call your rheumy nurse/ rheumatologist if you are worried - I'm supposed to do that if it happens with my girls because they will then direct your GP if you do need care. I think keeping your distance is sadly essential until she is deemed no longer contagious.

theresak

You have to keep away, I'm afraid, until the last scab has gone. Both my grandsons had chickenpox and my rheumy nurse told me to keep my distance. I was on MTX at the time, but it's the same for all the immuno-suppressants.

bubbadog

my goodness never knew that about Sulpha! Will have to get one of those face masks surgeons wear when I go out or have visitors from now on!!! :xmas_lol:

stickywicket

That would only give 50% protection, bubbadog, as chicken pox is both airborne and contagious.

Sharon2960

When I spoke to my rheumy nurse yesterday she said that it's ok to be with a close family member with chickenpox, as I had chickenpox as a child, and therefore should have immunity; although I shouldn't be with other people who have it. As it is, the blisters are scabbing over, so hopefully they will all have done so by the time I see her again; either way, I was with her when she would have been contagious prior to the spots arriving. Sounds to me like health professionals all have different opinions/advice - hey ho!

dreamdaisy

Health professionals are just as individual as us, one will think one thing and another another. I would still err on the side of caution though, just to be on the safe side. I am not sure if I am right in thinking this but I believe that contact with someone with chicken pox can lead to shingles in someone who was poxed in childhood. DD

Tia1723

My sulfa leaflet says “You should avoid close contact with people who have infections such as chickenpox. If you know you have been in close contact with somebody with chickenpox, contact your doctor for advice” (which you already did ).

Keep clear for a week until scabs are crusted over. It is always best to check with your rheumy as soon as you can, as you can get chicken pox more than once if your body didn't develop antibodies to it the first time you got it. I was told that if you have had chicken pox when young, then when you are older; a contact with chicken pox could bring on a case of shingles. Nonetheless, both of these can bring nasty complications, in RA patients whose immunity is already dampened by lots of steroids and immunosuppressants.

Hope your granddaughter gets on well, soon.

Love,Tia

tkachev

GoshI didn't know this! All 3 of my children got Chicken pox within days of each other about 8 years ago-at the time I was on sulfa and mtx.

I'm now on humira and I am aware I need to keep away although several times I've had visitors with their children who quite cheerfully tell me their child has just had it and is now recovering!


Elizabeth x

Slosh

All I know is that it is possible to catch chocken pox more than once. My daughter had it 5 times when she was young, and regardless of anyother health problem it can be more serious to catch it as an adult