Stress And Shingles

[albaqwerty]

FIL (79) has been diagnosed with shingles.

Can stress or worry bring on a bout?

[mazie]

Seems so alba..this from the internet

Causes
While there is no known cause behind outbreaks, shingles affects people with high stress levels and weak immune systems.

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5704604_relationship-between-shingles-anxiety.html

[albaqwerty]

Thank you mazie.

At the moment it's on the top of his scalp, poor love.

His house is due to be renovated, rewired, new kitchen and bathroom. Going to stay at his daughter's whilst all this is going on. Although she'll spoil him rotten, it's quite an upheaval for the lamb (diabetic and with a few other health issues too)

[naomi24]

Oh yes, I think stress is a factor. I've had shingles - nasty.

[Zeuhl]

It seems so

I suppose the virus is in the system already, probably for many years, so something suddenly weakens the immune system's ability to suppress it and there are established links (both ways) between the immune system and emotional and psychological well being.

[ladybirder]

Agree, I've had it as well, stress can be a factor.

[albaqwerty]

The daughter in question's husband thinks it's contagious. Mr Alba and I don't believe it is. Please tell us we're right!

[ladybirder]

Apparently it's on the increase in older people according to my doctor.

[naomi24]

I don't think it is, Alba.

[albaqwerty]

oh, LB, it's a nasty, nasty thing.

Naomi, thank you. At the moment, the daughter has her daughter (badly broken ankle) staying with her and her 3 kiddies, 2 of whom are babes, so he's naturally worried about them.

[naomi24]

Oops. Seems in some circumstances it is contageous.

http://www.is-shingles-contagious.net/

[mazie]

It seems it can be alba....I've never had it and don't know anyone that has so can only help with internet links...Here's another one

http://www.is-shingles-contagious.net/

[ladybirder]

I believe he should steer clear of pregnant women.

[albaqwerty]

oh bummer :-(

Phone call to doc's in the morning then.

The youngest babby who is at his daughter's, is just over a year old.
Now away to read Naomi's link. (Thank you Naomi x)

[mazie]

sorry naomi, didn't see you'd already put the link up

[albaqwerty]

Thank you too Mazie. x

LB, if any of the women in our family were pregnant, trust me, the knives would be out for the appropriate husband! (that sound like we're mormons or something, we're not, honest)

[andy-hughes]

It is a nasty condition - a strain of the chicken pox virus, hence the warning to stay away from pregnant ladies.

If he relaxes as much as possible, as in lying down, it will speed recovery.

[naomi24]

Alba, this from another website. It explains it more simply. It seems people aren't at risk unless they come into contact with the sores, so the baby should be fine.

//Can shingles be spread to others?

A person with shingles can spread the disease through direct contact with the rash when the rash is in the blister phase. Once the rash has developed crusts, the person is no longer contagious. A person cannot give the infection to others before blisters appear or with postherpetic neuralgia (pain after the rash is gone). The virus is not spread through sneezing, coughing, or casual contact.//

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/winter10/articles/winter10pg16-17.html

[albaqwerty]

Wish I asked this before I went to collect his prescription at lunchtime
(Doc came out this morning) None of the chemists in our town carried the cream or tablets, one ordered them and hopefully one of the Alba's who has gone down has managed to get the items.

I'll show this info to Mr Alba when he gets back from his dad's.

Thank you all for your help and input, very much appreciated.