Shingles

I have been diagnosed with shingles following 4 rounds of AC.  I was scheduled to take Taxol next, which has now been postponed for a week.  Do I have to be "shingle" free before I start Taxol?  What caused this to happen?  And will I have given chicken pox to my 5 month old grandson because of this situation?

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear Lynn T.:  Shingles is caused by the same virus as chicken pox.  It can only occur in people who have had chicken pox in the past.  The virus is thought to lie dormant and can be reactivated at any time in any person but is more common in people who are immunosuppressed (such as people receiving chemotherapy).  In terms of continuing treatment, it is a decision of your oncologist but generally the white blood cell count should be "normalized" and the lesions should be healing.  Shingles can cause chicken pox in people who have not had the virus if there is contact.  The virus is present in the lesions and remains contagious for a week after the lesions appear.  

[Lynn T.]

Thank you.  I am pleased to report my grandson did not contract chicken pox from my shingles and I am now taking Taxol in weekly doses.

[ccsillyone]

I had shingles approximately two months ago and the lesions were raked across my left side. I was told not to rub my eyes, and to wash my hands as often as possible, so I do not spread the virus around. I was also warned to lay off the caffein and watch my salt intake. Stress causes the shingles also they say. I do not know why all the sudden the virus from the chicken pox when I was a child decided to come out at 46 years old, but it did, and I was scared, but the pain was so unbearable for a while. Lynn T? Why do you have to take a medicine after your shingles went away? I was never told to do that by my doctor. I am all cleared up now, and no longer have the shingles, but the doctor's say I may possibly get it one more time in my life still again.

[louisegodschild]

A related discussion, shingles was started.