Hi. I have Polycythaemia vera (PV) and due to visit a friend on Sunday but she’s just told me her young son has chicken pox. Am I safe to visit? I did have it as a child.
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Hi @Sam157 I think it is always best to check it out with someone who has medical experience.
I will copy your post to the Blood Cancer nurse advisors fo you as well @BloodCancerUK_Nurses
I am not a medical person but personally I would not go near them.
I am very wary as I have a weakened immune system.
I did have chicken pox when I was young, now I get shingles somewhere on my body when I overdo it or I am run down.
I don’t know anything about whether you can get chicken pox more than once.
or the exact relationship to shingles.
It might even depend on what treatment we have had…
I expect you were really looking forward to your visit to your friend on Sunday, but as she has let you know about her young son I am sure that she would understand
The decision is of course yours, please do let us know the outcome, I might be being over cautious.
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Dear @Sam157
Thank you for posting, may I ask whether you are taking any treatment for your Polycythaemia vera (PV)? The reason I ask is because if you are taking something to suppress your immune system you will be more likely to contract chicken pox even if you have had it before.
The NHS webpages Chickenpox vaccine FAQs - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Chickenpox - NHS (www.nhs.uk) tells us you can spread chickenpox to other people from 2 days before your spots appear until they have all formed scabs – usually 5 days after your spots appeared.
To be on the safe side, waiting until the scabs have formed would be the safest in terms of reducing the chances of transmission.
I hope this is helpful and do take care,
Gemma
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