Just need to ask, I am 10 weeks pregnant
and recently got a letter from the
hospital informing me that one on the
tests that was taken during my ante natal
visit for chicken poks shows that I have
not had this is the past so to let them
know if I become exposed to anyone with
this or shingles. I don't really
understand this as my Mum remembers me
having this as a kid and I have a pox mark
on my forehead. How would they have came
to this conculsion and how at risk am I?
For instance, my neighbour has had
shingles, do I or my husband has to avoid
him in the street? I just want to know how
dangerous this would be for my unborn
child?
Thanks,
jenny
|
DoctorAnswer
Doctor Answer
Joined: 19 Dec 2005 Posts: 16777211
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Pregnancy Answer A2242 Posted: 01-31-07 06:27am
The hospital informed you that you
hadn’t had chickenpox (varicella) in the
past probably because they didn’t find
antibodies against the
Varicella-herpes-zoster virus in your
blood. The immune system creates
antibodies against any infective agent
during and after overcoming the infection.
These antibodies protect you from further
infections with the same infective agent.
It is very important not to get infected
with chickenpox during the first trimester
of a pregnancy because the virus can
damage the embryo. That’s why you have
to avoid contact with people who have
chickenpox or shingles (herpes zoster).
Herpes zoster is a derivative of
chickenpox and it is also contagious.
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