Shingles is the term for the herpes zoster virus, which is similar to the chickenpox. Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, and it results in a painful, blistering rash. Though most common in people over 60, shingles can strike anyone. Though chickenpox is the form of the virus that usually occurs in childhood, children may also suffer from shingles as well.
During pregnancy, women are always concerned about their health--every cold, flu and stomachache takes on a different meaning when your baby's health is at stake. Though the varicella-zoster virus does have an impact on a developing fetus, the risks depend on when the mother contracts the virus and whether she develops chickenpox or shingles.
Shingles vs. Chickenpox
Both shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same virus, but the resulting diseases are different, and they each have a very different impact on a fetus. In general, it's thought that shingles poses little threat to a fetus if contracted during pregnancy. But chickenpox can be more dangerous, particularly if it's contracted late in pregnancy.
Spotting the Difference
If a pregnant woman never had chickenpox and is exposed to the varicella-zoster virus, she will develop chickenpox. If she has already had chickenpox and is exposed again to the varicella-zoster virus, she may develop shingles, but she won't develop chickenpox again.
Chickenpox are itchy, red spots, while shingles is a painful rash of itchy blisters that often starts on one side of the body. Shingles frequently appears as a rash wrapping around the waist, but it may also appear near one eye. However, the blisters themselves can appear anywhere on the body.
Virus in Early Pregnancy
Prior to the 30th week of pregnancy, there is a slight risk to the baby of a birth defect if the mother contracts chickenpox, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). However, it's thought that the risk of birth defects to the fetus is very low from the shingles virus. In general, shingles rarely has any effect on a fetus. Shingles is also very rare during pregnancy.
Virus in Late Pregnancy
If a pregnant woman develops shingles just before birth--as little as a week or two before--there can be an impact on the baby's health. These babies are more likely to develop pediatric shingles, according to the NINDS. They may actually be born with chickenpox, or develop it after just a couple of days of life. Children may also develop shingles before age 5 due to this exposure just before birth.
But the days between the illness and the birth of the baby allow time for the mother's immune system to protect the fetus through increased antibody production. These antibodies can be passed to the fetus and improve its ability to protect itself against the shingles virus.
Chickenpox at Birth
If a mother gets chickenpox right at the time of birth, there isn't an opportunity for the mother's immune system to protect the baby from the virus. A newborn baby's immune system isn't yet equipped to fight off the chickenpox virus, and if chickenpox develops, it can be fatal to a newborn.
Treatment for Shingles During Pregnancy
Antiviral drugs are generally used to treat shingles, and they are considered safe for use by pregnant women (U.S. Food and Drug Administration Category B). Acyclovir, famciclovir and valacyclovir are medications typically prescribed to treat shingles in pregnant women. Though pain medications are often prescribed, prescriptions will be different for pregnant women because of their risk of damage to the fetus. A doctor will prescribe a different pain medication based on the trimester and what's considered safe at that point in the pregnancy.
Babies born with chickenpox are given a shot of antibodies against the virus, made from blood of an adult who has recently gotten over either chickenpox or shingles. These antibodies can help give the baby's immune system the strength it needs to fight the potentially fatal virus.
