What Are The Risks Of Shingles During Pregnancy?

Posted on Wed, 14 Oct 2015

Question: An aqua trance developed shingles she said she never had a rash and it was found early. She had been taking prednisone and finished the course of prednisone. My cousin saw her yesterday for lunch. We are having a family party and I am worried because my daughter is pregnant. Is there a danger to my daughter and her unborn baby from shingles

Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It depends on her previous exposure to shingles as child

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

First of all I am not sure why was prednisone prescribed for shingles. Was it prescribed doctor?

Fortunately shingles is very rare during pregnancy and even if virus is transmitted to pregnant women they may not develop symptoms and also the outcome is very good without complications.

So if your daughter had an attack of shingles during childhood the chances of getting shingles now is near to zero. So no problem to the unborn child.

However ask her to follow these
Since the virus only spreads during blister phase, ask her to stay away from the aqua trance.
Once the blister crusts the chances of spread is minimal. Ask her to wash hands thoroughly and frequently with soap.

Hope this answers your query, please close if you do not have further queries.
Reduce the physical contanct as much as possible during blister phase.
Seek help from local GP if she has more doubts.

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar