How to Reduce the Risk of Shingles During Pregnancy in 8 Steps
How to Reduce the Risk of Shingles During Pregnancy

How to Reduce the Risk of Shingles During Pregnancy in 8 Steps

About 1 in 3 people in the U.S. will get shingles at some point. It’s more common in those over 50, but can also happen during pregnancy. If you’ve had chickenpox, it’s important to know how to lower your risk of shingles while pregnant.

Table of Contents

In this article, we’ll look at 8 ways to lower your risk of shingles during pregnancy. We’ll cover everything from understanding the causes to managing complications. These steps can help you protect your health and your family.

Key Takeaways

  • Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which remains dormant in your body after a previous chickenpox infection.
  • Pregnant individuals and those with weakened immune systems are at an increased risk of developing shingles.
  • Antiviral medications and pain management can help manage shingles symptoms during pregnancy.
  • Vaccination against chickenpox before conception can help prevent shingles outbreaks during pregnancy.
  • Complications of shingles in pregnancy include postherpetic neuralgia and eye or nerve damage.

Understanding Shingles and Its Causes

What is Shingles?

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection. It causes a painful, itchy rash. The varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox, is responsible for it.

After getting chickenpox, the virus stays hidden in nerve cells. But if the immune system weakens, the virus can wake up. This leads to shingles.

The Varicella-Zoster Virus and Its Reactivation

The varicella-zoster virus causes both chickenpox and shingles. After chickenpox, the virus stays in nerve cells. But, age, a weak immune system, or certain health issues can make it reactivate.

Shingles often hits older adults, especially those over 60. People in this age group are more likely to get it and face serious complications. Diseases that weaken the immune system, cancer treatments, some medications, and age increase the risk.

About 1 million people in the U.S. get shingles each year. Around 10% of those who had chickenpox will get shingles later.

“Shingles, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, is more common in older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems.”

Assessing Your Risk of Shingles During Pregnancy

Your chance of getting shingles during pregnancy depends on if you’ve had chickenpox before. If you’ve had chickenpox, the virus can come back and cause shingles. Your age and a weak immune system also play a role in this risk.

Previous Exposure to Chickenpox

If you’ve had chickenpox, the virus stays in your body and can come back as shingles. This is because the virus that causes chickenpox never leaves your body. People who had chickenpox are more likely to get shingles during pregnancy.

Age and Immune System Factors

Getting older and having a weak immune system can make you more likely to get shingles. As you age, your immune system gets weaker, making it easier for the virus to reactivate. Medical conditions or treatments that weaken the immune system also raise your risk of shingles during pregnancy.

Knowing if you’ve had chickenpox and any immune system issues can help you lower your risk of shingles during pregnancy.

Risk of Shingles During Pregnancy

Shingles during pregnancy is rare but can happen. It’s caused by the varicella-zoster virus. This virus usually affects older adults but can also appear in younger people due to stress, illness, or a weak immune system.

Shingles itself doesn’t usually harm the baby. The CDC says it’s rare for the virus to pass from mother to child. While shingles can lead to serious issues in some cases, especially in those over 60, most pregnant women who get it will do well.

A study found 474 women with shingles during pregnancy. There were 466 live births, 5 miscarriages, and 3 abortions. Only 2 babies had birth defects, but no cases of congenital varicella syndrome.

Another report showed 14 cases of shingles in pregnant women. None of these cases had bad outcomes or congenital varicella syndrome. But, a baby born to a mother with widespread shingles at 12 weeks had birth defects.

Newborns are not at risk if their mother gets shingles close to delivery. Doctors recommend VZV immunoglobulin G for pregnant women exposed to the virus within 96 hours.

“Shingles affects an estimated one in five people, and about one-fifth of those will develop postherpetic neuralgia, a complication that can cause severe, long-lasting pain.”

Even though shingles in pregnancy is rare, it’s important for pregnant women to know the risks. They should see a doctor right away if they have symptoms or have been exposed to the virus.

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Symptoms and Diagnosis of Shingles in Pregnancy

Shingles symptoms in pregnancy include a painful rash on one side of the body. You might also feel pain, itching, and tingling. The rash starts as a red patch and turns into small blisters. These blisters then dry up and form crusty scabs.

If you see unusual rashes or symptoms, seek medical attention promptly and get a proper diagnosis. A healthcare provider can usually tell if you have shingles during pregnancy by looking at your symptoms. They might also do a skin culture to confirm it.

Common Shingles Symptoms

The most common shingles symptoms in pregnancy are:

  • A painful, itchy rash on one side of the body
  • Burning, tingling, or shooting pain in the affected area
  • Fluid-filled blisters that dry up and form scabs
  • Headache, fever, and feeling unwell

Diagnosing Shingles During Pregnancy

To diagnose shingles during pregnancy, your healthcare provider will do a physical exam. They will look for the shingles rash. They might also do a skin culture or other tests to confirm it. It’s crucial to get medical help quickly. Early treatment can help manage symptoms and prevent complications.

Remember, shingles is not dangerous to the baby. But it can cause problems for the pregnant person. If you have concerns or unusual symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider.

Treatment Options for Shingles in Pregnancy

If you get shingles while pregnant, your doctor might give you antiviral meds like acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir. These antiviral medications for shingles can make symptoms less severe and lower the chance of serious problems. Your doctor might also suggest over-the-counter pain relievers, cool compresses, and other self-care steps to manage the shingles pain in pregnancy.

Antiviral Medications

Doctors often prescribe acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir for shingles treatment during pregnancy. These drugs can shorten the outbreak and lower the risk of serious issues. Research shows that antiviral medications for shingles are usually safe for pregnant women and are classified as category B. This means they are not expected to harm the developing fetus.

Pain Management and Self-Care

Your healthcare provider might also suggest over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen to manage the shingles pain in pregnancy. Using cool compresses on the affected area and keeping it clean and dry can also ease discomfort. In some cases, your doctor might prescribe nerve blocks or other treatments to manage ongoing nerve pain from shingles.

It’s crucial to work closely with your healthcare provider to manage the shingles pain in pregnancy and ensure the safety of both you and your baby. With the right treatment and care, most cases of shingles during pregnancy can be successfully managed.

Preventing Chickenpox and Shingles Exposure

It’s very important to keep yourself and your unborn baby safe from the varicella-zoster virus during pregnancy. If you’ve never had chickenpox, stay away from anyone with it or shingles. The virus can spread through touching the fluid in blisters. If you get exposed, tell your doctor right away. They might do a blood test or give you treatment.

If you’ve had chickenpox before, still avoid people with shingles. Shingles happens when the virus comes back. It can spread to people who haven’t had chickenpox or the vaccine.

Here are some ways to lower the chance of preventing chickenpox exposure during pregnancy and avoiding shingles transmission:

  • Make sure you’re up-to-date on your varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, especially before getting pregnant.
  • Stay away from anyone with active chickenpox or shingles.
  • Wash your hands often to protect against varicella-zoster virus.
  • Let your healthcare provider know if you think you’ve been exposed to chickenpox or shingles.
  • Think about getting the Shingrix® vaccine if you’ve had chickenpox or the Varicella vaccine before.

By following these steps, you can greatly lower the risk of getting chickenpox or shingles while pregnant. This helps keep your baby healthy.

Potential Complications and Risks

Shingles itself usually doesn’t directly harm the fetus. But, it can cause problems for the pregnant person. These issues might include ongoing nerve pain, known as postherpetic neuralgia. Also, eye and nerve problems can happen if shingles appears on the face.

It’s very important to get medical help right away. Your doctor will guide you on how to handle these shingles complications in pregnancy. This can help lessen any risks.

Postherpetic Neuralgia

Postherpetic neuralgia is a big concern in pregnancy. It’s a nerve pain that lasts even after the rash goes away. Managing this pain can be tough and might need different treatments.

Eye and Nerve Complications

Eye and nerve issues from shingles can lead to vision problems. You might also feel sensitive to light. In some cases, nerve damage can be permanent.

Even though these issues are serious, the chance of severe problems is low. Getting treatment quickly and following your doctor’s advice can help. This way, you can lower the risk of postherpetic neuralgia and other shingles complications in pregnancy.

Conclusion

While shingles in pregnancy is rare, it’s important for moms-to-be to know the risks. Understanding what causes shingles and your own risk can help. If you notice any unusual rashes or symptoms, get medical help right away.

For pregnant women, staying alert and following your doctor’s advice is key. If you’re worried, don’t wait to see a doctor. Taking these steps can help keep you and your baby safe.

Antiviral drugs like acyclovir can lessen shingles’ impact and lower the chance of long-term pain. Knowing this and working with your healthcare team can make you feel more secure. This way, you can handle shingles during pregnancy with confidence.

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