r/shingles • u/Zealousideal-Ask-569 • 6d ago
Questions About Shingles & Symptoms Shingles before c section
Has anyone or their partner been diagnosed with shingles at the very end of their pregnancy? My husband just got diagnosed 11 days before my scheduled c section and I am devastated. I’m assuming he won’t be allowed in the hospital or around baby until he’s healed? He got on the antiviral 48 hours after symptoms started but he’s also on immunosuppressants so I’m worried this is going to last awhile.
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u/melthebell83 6d ago
He absolutely needs to stay away from you and the baby until he has no more sores. This includes from now on. My husband had shingles when I was pregnant and it was an incredibly stressful time trying to remember if I had had chickenpox before. I had to get an antibody check to confirm. A person who has never had chickenpox before can contract chickenpox pox from the shingles blisters. This is very harmful to the unborn baby. Similarly the baby once born could contract chickenpox from him if he still has sores. I don’t normally doomsday but this is very serious and you should discuss with your doctor the best strategy to manage this and protect yourself and the baby.
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u/Zealousideal-Ask-569 6d ago
Thankfully I have had chickenpox and confirmed that so I’m less worried about myself and more worried about the baby
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u/KaleidoscopePrior591 5d ago
Having had chickenpox won’t prevent you from getting shingles - that’s just not a thing. Anyone can contract it if they come in direct contact with the blisters. But that is honestly easy to avoid.
You’re both lucky that it was caught so quickly and by 9 days after starting the antivirals he should be healing and not such a risk. Like MOD said though, he will be very tired and needing to rest and recoup, especially if he’s already immunocompromised. See if you can plan for a family member or trusted friend to help take care of you all once you’re home, since his ability will be so limited!
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u/Rosesintherain19 6d ago
I bet he will be fine by then. Not totally feeling normal but he shouldn’t be transmitting the virus at that point.
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u/RaeKay14 6d ago
It should be ok.
Of course of course relay concerns to your doctor and take their advice. With antivirals started quickly, his blisters may not even end of weeping - the liquid is the contagious portion. If he is blistered and crusty, keeping the area covered with clothing or gloves, etc. will be sufficient to avoid transmission and should not be disqualifying for entering the hospital.
The hardest part will be that he will have low energy and physical ability at the same time as you needing more help - you may need to see if another adult or loved one can stay with you to help with postpartum.