Guaranteed to Work
Made in the USA
Doctor Recommended
Secure Online Ordering
Shingles Pregnancy
Shingles during pregnancy is the last thing that an expectant mother wants to deal with, and can be somewhat debilitating, not to mention annoying. It is caused by the chickenpox virus, varicella-zoster. After a person has chickenpox, usually as a child, remnants of the virus are stored within nerve cells near the spine. The virus may escape these cells years later and cause an outbreak of shingles.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of shingles include fever, headache, reddened skin, fluid-filled blisters, and a burning or tingling pain in the affected area. The rash usually only appears on one side of the body, and most often on the torso.Are you at risk for shingles?
Anyone who has ever had chickenpox is at risk for developing shingles. If you are not sure if you’ve had chickenpox before, you can ask your doctor to perform a simple blood test to determine if you have antibodies for the virus. If you do, then you have had the virus, and are therefore immune to chickenpox, but not from shingles.It is estimated that about 95 percent of those who are unsure if they’ve ever had chickenpox test positive for antibodies. If you have the antibodies, then you are at risk for shingles, since the condition develops from the release of leftover chickenpox virus.
If you have never had chickenpox, and are exposed to it, your doctor may give you zoster immune globulin (ZIG), which contains antibodies for chickenpox. This will reduce the risk of contracting the virus, and will usually reduce severity of the symptoms in the event that you do contract chickenpox. There have been no reported incidents of ZIG harming the baby or causing birth defects.
Is there any risk that the baby will get chickenpox?
If you have had chickenpox, then you possess antibodies to it, and will not get the virus again, even if directly exposed to shingles blisters. These antibodies will also serve to protect your baby from the virus as well.If you have never had chickenpox, then you are at risk for developing it, as it your baby. You should avoid anyone who has shingles, as it carries the chickenpox virus. If you develop chickenpox during pregnancy, it could severely weaken your immune system, and can often result in what is known as Varicella pneumonia, which is very serious and dangerous for both mother and baby.
If you are still in early stages of pregnancy, and are not immune to the chickenpox virus, it is a good idea to ask your doctor about getting vaccinated.
Will an outbreak of shingles hurt the baby?
An outbreak of shingles will most likely not cause any harm to an unborn baby. Since shingles develops from the pre-existing chicken pox virus remnants, the baby should not be affected by an outbreak. The child will not contract chicken pox from the mother’s shingles outbreak.Possible Complications from Shingles:
The most common complications from shingles during pregnancy stem from the fact that shingles can weaken the immune system, making the mother more susceptible to other illnesses.The shingles rash may become infected and spread to other areas of the body, and should therefore be monitored very closely. If the infection spreads to the face, there is a risk that it will affect the eyes and/or ears, eventually causing blindness and/or hearing loss if left untreated.
Pneumonia is also a very serious concern for women who develop shingles while they are pregnant. It is very important to carefully monitor your condition in order to reduce the risk of developing more severe medical conditions or more serious symptoms of shingles itself.
What is the treatment?
The treatment for shingles consists of anti-viral drugs such as Acyclovir, which has been proven to be safe for both mother and baby, ointment for the rash, and pain relievers.The rash will usually go away after a few weeks, but the pain may continue for some time after, which is known as a condition called “post-herpetic neuralgia.” This condition can often produce severe pain and is difficult to treat. There is no way to prevent this condition, but treatment for the pain may consist of pain patches such as the Lidoderm patch, corticosteroids, anti-depressants, or anti-seizure medication. Methods such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) or nerve blocks injected directly into the affected area may also be used.
If these treatments are not effective, natural remedies such as Shingles No More from Forces of Nature may provide relief from the symptoms of shingles.
Shingles
