Infliximab and Chickenpox Immunity

[ebaynie]

Hi there,

I've been having Infliximab infusions since October 2012 and they have made an enormous difference. I'm just wondering if anyone knows, if you've had Chickenpox in the past (before infliximab), does the infliximab effect the natural antibodies against Chickenpox that your body would have developed. I had a severe case at 17, but have now heard that Chickenpox is going around my cousins' school, so not sure if I should be staying away from them or not. I've read how severe Chickenpox while immunosuppressed can be and wold not want to catch it a second time!

 

[Catherine]

Having already had chickenpox you should not be able to catch it twice.

Daughter current has shingles.

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Chickenpox

http://www0.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/infectious/chickenpox.html

 

[ebaynie]

Catherine,

I'm sorry to hear that your daughter has shingles. Is she needing intravenous antivirals to treat it, being on immunosuppresants?

 

[Catherine]

Her shingles was dx as contact allergy, it was only officially dx after the spots had already become crusty too late for antivirals.

Her shingles are very mild 7 spots in all on left side of her waist at the back. She was complaining of being hot and cold before the spots appeared. The rash was sore for a few days.

 

[rygon]

You can actually catch it twice. I would stay away for a couple of weeks if I was you.
here's some more info http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chickenpox/Pages/Introduction.aspx

 

[sickinlk]

You can actually catch it twice. I would stay away for a couple of weeks if I was you.
here's some more info http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chickenpox/Pages/Introduction.aspx

interesting
one in 8 can get reinfected with chickenpox.
isn't there also a risk of developing shingles from the chicken pox virus when you immunosuppressed.
ju