Hi. My mum thinks she may have shingles she will ring gp for appointment. I am currently undergoing chemotherapy and have just had a bad week with side affects do i need to stay away. Would be grateful for advice please
I believe it is contagious. If it were me, I would stay away, but best for you to check with your breast care nurse for more advice x
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It can be contagious - though depending where she has it the lesions may be covered . I think it would be sensible to stay away as shingles can have some pretty nasty results if you get it on your face / head in particular even without being immunosupressed by your chemo. My partner shingles last year on his chest - I wasn’t immunosupressed but we were very careful with contact anyway . His surgery in my opinion are not great but to give them their due once he had asked for help and sent in a picture of the lesions they were very quick to prescribe treatment and I hope it’s the same for your Mum. Xx
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Hi debi1,
Thank you for posting
While you cannot catch shingles from someone else, you can catch chickenpox from someone with shingles, as it is caused by the same virus. Because chemotherapy affects your immune system, it can make you more prone to picking up infections. It is advised that anyone with shingles stays away from others who have a weakened immune system.
You can talk to your chemotherapy nurse, or breast care nurse for further advice about this. As @JoanneN and @lisa49 say, you may find it best to stay away until you know for sure if your Mum has shingles.
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