Chickenpox and shingles - Information for patients This leaflet can be made available in other formats including large print, CD and Braille and ...

Chickenpox and shingles

                          Information for patients

This leaflet can be made available in other
formats including large print, CD and Braille and
in languages other than English, upon request.

This leaflet tells you about chickenpox and shingles.

What is chickenpox?

Chickenpox is an infectious disease caused by a virus (a
herpesvirus). The infection is most common in children but also
occurs in adults.

How is chickenpox caught and spread?

Chickenpox can easily be passed from person to person. It is
spread by airborne droplets and close contact with an infected
person. The disease develops 10 – 21 days after exposure to the
virus and is infectious until the last spot has dried up (usually 5 – 7
days after the first spots appeared).

What are the signs and symptoms of chickenpox?

These can include:

    a high temperature (fever)

    tiredness

    rash

    coughing

    loss of appetite

    vomiting (being sick).

Chickenpox usually clears up without treatment, but the infection is
worse in adults.

If you have been exposed to chickenpox or shingles and are non-

immune or classed as high risk due to a medical condition or
pregnancy, you may be offered antiretroviral treatment. The
treatment (an injection) can prevent or reduce how severe the
infection is, if given within the first few days after coming into contact
with the virus.

In hospital you will be cared for in a single room to prevent the
spread of infection to others.

You should:

    rest where possible and wear light, loose cotton clothes

    drink plenty of fluids to help reduce any fever

    apply calamine lotion to the spots to reduce itching or take the
     medicine (antihistamine) which may be prescribed by your
     doctor. The rash may be painful so the use of painkillers may
     be needed. Antibiotics may be given if the spots become
     infected. Always follow the instructions provided in the leaflet
     supplied with your tablets

    keep the rash clean and dry. You must not pick or scratch
     the spots as this may cause permanent scarring.

What is shingles?

Once you have had chickenpox you develop lifelong immunity to it,
and it is rare to catch chickenpox again.

Shingles is a reactivation of the chickenpox virus which mainly
affects adults. It may be triggered by stress or being in poor health,
often the cause is unknown.

You can only get shingles if you have had chickenpox.

What are the signs and symptoms of shingles?

These can include:

    tiredness

    pain

    a rash similar to that of chickenpox. The rash occurs on one
     side of the body, (often over the ribs) spreading over the
     affected nerve, but can sometimes affect half of the face or
     head. The rash will be present for about 7 days but the pain
     may last for longer.

What treatment is given for shingles?

Treatment for shingles is the same as for chickenpox.

If you are in hospital, you will be cared for in a single room to
prevent the spread of infection to others. You will be prescribed
painkillers for any pain and may be given creams or lotions for the
rash.

Shingles is infectious, but less so than chickenpox. If you have
shingles you can pass chickenpox to someone who has never had it
before.

When can I go back to work or school?

You may return to work or school once you are fully recovered and
the last spot has dried up (usually 5 – 7 days after the first spots
appeared).

Is there anything else I should know?

Chickenpox is usually a mild illness and complications are rare.
However, it can cause serious illness in adults, people with a low
immune system and premature babies.

Chickenpox can affect the developing baby of a pregnant woman
(especially during the early and very late stages) if she does not
have natural immunity. This is rare, but if you are pregnant and you
have been in contact with a person with chickenpox or shingles, you
must contact your GP as soon as possible. You may need to have
a blood test or may need treatment.

Contact numbers

If you have any questions or concerns, please ask your GP or
nurse. Contact your GP’s surgery during normal hours. Outside
surgery hours you should contact your GP’s surgery for the Out of
Hours Service number.

If you need further advice, or have problems you can talk to an
infection prevention and control nurse.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust
Infection Prevention and Control Team
Telephone: 01642 383280
Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm

Further information is available from:

NHS Choices
Telephone: 111 (when it is less urgent than 999)
Calls to this number are free from landlines and mobile phones
Or via the website at www.nhs.uk

This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient
   leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be
   improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Clinical Governance Team,
   North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of North Tees
   or Email: nth-tr.leaflets@nhs.net

   Comments, Concerns, Compliments or Complaints
   We are continually trying to improve the services we provide.

   We want to know what we’re doing well or if there’s anything which we can improve,
   that’s why the Patient Experience Team is here to help.

   Our Patient Experience Team is here to try to resolve your concerns as quickly as
   possible. If you would like to contact or request a copy of our PET leaflet, please
   contact:
                                  Telephone: 01642 624719
                             Monday – Friday, 9.30am – 4.00pm
            Messages can be left on the answering machine and will be picked up
                                      throughout the day.

                                  Freephone: 0800 092 0084

                           Email: nth-tr.PatientExperience@nhs.net

   Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the
   hospital switchboard who will bleep the appropriate person.

                                 Telephone: 01642 617617
                               24 hours a day, 7 days a week

   The Patient Experience Team is available to discuss your concerns in person
   Monday – Friday, 9.30am – 4.00pm. The office is based on the ground floor at the
   University Hospital of North Tees.

   Data Protection and use of patient information
   The Trust has developed a Data Protection, Caldicott and Disclosure Policy (IG5) in
   accordance with the Data Protection Legislation (General Data Protection
   Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
   All of our staff respect this policy and confidentiality is adhered to at all times. If you
   require further information please contact the Information Governance Team.

                 Telephone: 01642 383551 or Email: nth-tr.infogov@nhs.net

         University Hospital of North Tees, Hardwick, Stockton-on-Tees. TS19 8PE
         University Hospital of Hartlepool, Holdforth Road, Hartlepool. TS24 9AH
                                 Telephone: 01642 617617

PIL1303 v1                                                           For Review April 2024