topic Re: Shingles in Wellness

Shingles

nktmt — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 17:02:20 GMT

Opinions please.

I ordered Cheryl's cookies with a ship date of 12/8. I call C.S. on Saturday to cancel the order and they canceled it for me and it would take a few days to show cancelled in the computer because it's shipped from Chery's. Well now it shows "shipped" (I realize I was probably not enough notice). Here is my concern I'm getting over Shingles and although the Doctor said it's not contagious, for some reason I don't think it's ok to do my gift bags this year. I would have my husband put the bags together and I will not take anything out of bags/boxes (cookies/candies} and be preparing the bags for two weeks yet.

It's getting better but I wanted to know what your thoughts are.

Thank You!

Re: Shingles

duster95 — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 17:05:11 GMT

My father just got over shingles (and yes, he did get the shingles shot!). From what I understand, the only person who might be affected by your shingles is someone who has NOT had chicken pox. And I think you have to have close personal contact while you have the bad blisters. Hope this helps. I think you will be fine to prepare gift bags.

Re: Shingles

gidgetgh — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 17:06:05 GMT

I think it's absolutely fine to do your gift bags.

When I had shingles, back in the early 80's, the doctor didn't have me to any special precautions.

If I remember correctly, you can't pass shingles on to ANYONE, but you might be able to pass Chicken Pox on to someone who hasn't had them. But I think you're totally fine taking wrapped cookies and putting them in gift bags. I wouldn't worry about it at all.

And I hope you're feeling better soon- they're not fun.

Re: Shingles

evelyner — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 17:06:54 GMT

Shingles is not contagious. You have to have had chickenpox to get it. The only people I avoided were my little grandkid who had not even had an inoculation. Definitely not catchy through things. Don't be paranoid. Just wear gloves, if that makes you feel better.

Re: Shingles

jewelfool — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 17:12:23 GMT

Yes, it will be fine. I work if I am able when I have shingles.

Re: Shingles

Chrystaltree2 — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 17:25:43 GMT

Huh? If your doctor told you that you were not contagious, why in the world are you questionning him? As for the getting shingles after you have had the shot, my doc says about 20% of people who come down with shingles did have the shot. That's high but it's still well worth getting the shot because if you do get shingles after innoculation, you get a much milder case.

Re: Shingles

Jersey Born — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 17:46:07 GMT

Nkmt, IMHO, you are a kind and caring person who is concerned about others. Please don't let others get you down this holiday season. We should all question our doctors if we are concerned about the advice they give to us.

Re: Shingles

Lillyrose — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 17:58:02 GMT

Hi nkmt - hope you are feeling well! You have every right to question your doctor!!! It never hurts to be well informed and I think you are so sweet to care about others. I have worked with doctors for 35 years and I know that there are good and bad ones. Some are very smart and thorough and some are careless and uncaring. So good for you, and posting your question is appropriate. And don't be fooled into getting a shingles vaccine unless you are sure it is right for you.

Re: Shingles

nktmt — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 18:36:37 GMT

First I would like to thank everyone for their opinions.

I was not questioning what my Dr told me.....I was concerned because I did not want to offend anyone that knew I was sick & now I'm giving them a gift. I do worry and want to do what's best.

I always have found great advice, direction, a wealth of information & a few laughs on the QVC forums.

Thank you everyone for helping with my concerns & worries. Thank you for your good wishes. I will (with the help of my husband) prepare my Christmas bags in a few weeks.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas & Happy Holiday Season

Re: Shingles

Nightowlz — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 19:12:05 GMT

I have never had Shingles & don't know much about it other then it's painful. Both my sisters have had it. I think as long as you keep your hands washed you will be ok. If you need to sneeze or cough while making leave the kitchen area. If it will make you feel better you could wear a pair of those plastic gloves they wear in the deli. When I was sick a few years ago I still made & gave goodies to some neighbors. Nobody got sick. Hope you feel better soon. Merry Christmas.

Re: Shingles

Sunshine — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 19:49:26 GMT

I'm going through chemo and now have Shingles. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I read that it could be contagious to an infant. I agree about keeping your hands clean. This is the 2nd time I've had Shingles. Good luck everyone?

Re: Shingles

Nightowlz — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 20:01:18 GMT

On 12/9/2014 Sunshine said: I'm going through chemo and now have Shingles. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I read that it could be contagious to an infant. I agree about keeping your hands clean. This is the 2nd time I've had Shingles. Good luck everyone?

Sunshine you sure got hit with a double whammy. Sorry you are dealing with this. Chemo would be difficult enough without the Shingles. Take Care & hope you feel better soon. One of my sisters has had Shingles twice. The 2nd time she had them when she had gallbladder surgery but did not know it. She was still in a lot of pain after the gallbladder surgery when she found the rash on her right back side. She now wonders if all the pain was from the Shingles & no gallbladder problem. They did emergency gallbladder surgery because they told her that's what was causing all the pain? Merry Christmas.

Re: Shingles

Tissyanne — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 20:11:30 GMT

nktmt, you are very thoughtful, and caring. When a relative of mine was in ICU with shingles, we were required to wear gloves and a gown. I hope you enjoy your holiday season.

Re: Shingles

BellaPaprika — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 20:15:31 GMT

Don't put yourself and your DH through unnecessary ""precautions"". You cannot pass on shingles.

Re: Shingles

nktmt — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 23:30:38 GMT

Oh Sunshine,

I'm so sorry for what you are going through. I know how tough the shingles are.....I can only imagine how tough the Chemo is. It sounds like you are a very strong person & you will conquer all.

Wishing you peace and wellness.

Nancy

Re: Shingles

151949 — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 23:44:59 GMT

On 12/9/2014 evelyner said:
Shingles is not contagious. You have to have had chickenpox to get it. The only people I avoided were my little grandkid who had not even had an inoculation. Definitely not catchy through things. Don't be paranoid. Just wear gloves, if that makes you feel better.

Not true !!! Shingles can give someone who has not had chicken pox the chicken pox and it can cause problems with a fetus if someone is pregnant. Could you pass it to someone by handling the wrapped cookies and then that person also handles the same wrapper - certainly. Unless you know for a fact that anyone who may handle the items you have touched has had chicken pox and is not pregnant it is best you do not touch anything that someone else would also touch.Chicken pox in adults can be very serious - i have cared for several folks in ICU with varicella pneumonia from chicken pox and they were very seriously ill. Please don't take this chance - let your DH do the bags for you.

Re: Shingles

betteb — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 23:55:36 GMT

On 12/9/2014 happy housewife said:
On 12/9/2014 evelyner said:
Shingles is not contagious. You have to have had chickenpox to get it. The only people I avoided were my little grandkid who had not even had an inoculation. Definitely not catchy through things. Don't be paranoid. Just wear gloves, if that makes you feel better.

Not true !!! Shingles can give someone who has not had chicken pox the chicken pox and it can cause problems with a fetus if someone is pregnant. Could you pass it to someone by handling the wrapped cookies and then that person also handles the same wrapper - certainly. Unless you know for a fact that anyone who may handle the items you have touched has had chicken pox and is not pregnant it is best you do not touch anything that someone else would also touch.Chicken pox in adults can be very serious - i have cared for several folks in ICU with varicella pneumonia from chicken pox and they were very seriously ill. Please don't take this chance - let your DH do the bags for you.

OP-Please ignore happy housewife. You would have to have weeping blisters on your hands and the other person would have to touch the item right after you did. The Shingles virus can not live on surfaces more than 24 hours.

Re: Shingles

151949 — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 01:22:12 GMT

On 12/9/2014 Tissyanne said: nktmt, you are very thoughtful, and caring. gown. When a relative of mine was in ICU with shingles, we were required to wear gloves and a gown I hope you enjoy your holiday season.

patients who are in the hospital and have shingles have to be in isolation - but hey, what would I know , I am just an RN with 42 years of experience.

Re: Shingles

BellaPaprika — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 03:06:15 GMT

Shingles cannot be passed from one person to another. However, the virus that causes shingles, the varicella zoster virus, can be spread from a person with active shingles to another person who has never had chickenpox. In such cases, the person exposed to the virus might develop chickenpox, but they would not develop shingles.The virus is spread through direct contact with fluid from the rash blisters caused by shingles.

A person with active shingles can spread the virus when the rash is in the blister-phase. A person is not infectious before the blisters appear. Once the rash has developed crusts, the person is no longer contagious.

This is verbatim from the CDC.

Re: Shingles

hckynut — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 05:13:53 GMT

I've had shingles and do not believe it to be contagious.