Could It Be Contagious?

[Barsel]

Yesterday a bright red rash came up on the inside of my knee and last night the same rash came up on my buttock. My first concern is whether it might be shingles but I can't get an appointment at the docs, have to phone in the morning to see if there is a cancellation. The problem is, my daughter and 9 month old granddaughter are due to visit me tomorrow and I don't know whether babies can get chickenpox from someone who has shingles. I know it works the other way i.e adults getting shingles from someone who has chickenpox and could my daughter get them or can they only be caught by sharing towels etc?

[Sqad]

Yes, one can catch chickenpox from shingles...BUT only if one hasn't had chickenpox. If one has been infected by the chickenpox bug, then it is unlikely, very unlikely that one can catch chicken pox again.

You do not mention pain with your rash and if pain is absent, then the rash is unlikely to be due to shingles.

[Barsel]

Thanks for that info sqad. My daughter definitely had chickenpox as a child but I'm pretty sure my granddaughter hasn't. There is pain but not actually where the rash is. The pain is almost all the way down my leg from the buttock.

[Sqad]

Is it a constant pain or is it stabbing. like needles?

[Barsel]

No it's constant. I noticed the pain as soon as I got up this morning and pain killers have taken the edge off slightly but I am just about to take two more paracetamol, as it's 6 hours since I took some. It's almost like an achy pain now, the kind where you feel you want to sit down and put your feet up.

[Sqad]

OK...it doesn't sound like the pain of shingles..........however, watch out for blisters on the rash, if it is shingles.

No blisters.......no shingles.

[Barsel]

Thanks again Sqad. If it's still the same tomorrow I will probably speak to the triage nurse at the docs. My main concern was for my granddaughter as I wouldn't want her to get this from me. x

[Sqad]

It is very unusual for babies to get chicken pox as they normally have antibodies given to them by their mother whilst in the womb.

Yes...good idea...have a word with the triage nurse, but i think that all would be well, whether your rash was due to shingles or not.

[atalanta]

You can get chicken-pox twice. My son did. Both times he was diagnosed by a different doctor, and the same specialist fever-nurse. I hope that doesn't mean he could get it a third time ?