this could suck

[Kurt B]

This pose won't last long today. Some guy on our floor last week, like Tuesday came down with chicken pox. They didn't say who..I had no idea it was a guy on my floor until yesterday.

I've never had it. I've heard it totally blows to get it as an adult. I hope they have a vaccine for it and I can make use of that thing. Otherwise, this could suck. Waiting for call back from doc. Kaiser sucks in a lot of ways with the PITA way you have to communicate.

[Tim Walsh]

uh oh.. ya that could suck.. I barely remember when I had it as a kid and it sucked then

[cstreit]

In adults it's called Shingles...

When you get chicken pox as a kid, it never actually "goes away" but rather it lies dormant in the nerve fiber sheaths. In a case of a significantly reduced immune system, like if you've been sick for a while, stressed, etc... it can re-surface.

In a kid, it's simply uncomfortable. In a adult it's the most painful thing you can imagine. All the nerve fibers in your back leading around to your sternum are inflamed... Even major pain killers don't really help much.

From what I understand it's less contagious to adults except through direct contact. I don't know if you get it for the first time as an adult that its the painful kind. Interestingly enough it's a derivative of the herpes virus....

[masraum]

My stepdaughter just had shingles and a friend had it in college. It's Herpes Zoster, it's basically non contagious. The person develops clusters of small fluid filled blisters. I think to even worry about catching it you'd have to come into contact with the blisters when they break, and even then you'd probably need to get the fluid into a cut or something.
You shouldn't have anything to worry about I wouldn't think, but better to be safe than sorry, I suppose.

[Cornpanzer]

I got Chicken Pox when I was a senior in high school. Im sure you can guess how cool that was. I was out for a week and had the scabs all over for a nother week or two. Chick dig that look for sure.....

[Kurt B]

Hahaha corn panzer...well, I'm waiting for a call from the doctor. I'm hoping they can do something for me with a vaccine to get my body up on it, or anti-viral meds or somethin'

[Cornpanzer]

Well, if the worst does happen, I would be happy to fly out and keep your car in good running condition for a week or two. Its 33 and raining here in Ohio and I know LA fairly well. I would even drive to the store for some chicken soup for you

[Moses]

Actually, primary Varicella infection at any age is called "Chicken Pox". "Shingles" is a reactivation of dormant viral particles as mentioned above.

The good news? There has been a cheap and effective vaccination available for years now. Vaccine won't help if you have already been exposed.

Better news? The vast majority of adults who say they have never had Chicken Pox did in fact have mild cases. If you do a serum antibody screen, odds are that you have already had a mild case and are already immune.

Best news? If you are antibody positive (Ig G). You can't get Chicken Pox or Shingles by exposure to affected individuals

My advice? Get a Varicella antibody titer. If the IgM is negative and the IgG is positive- you are home free. Nothing to do and you won't get sick. If you are negative for both IgG AND IgM, get the vaccination NOW. If you are IgG negative and IgM positive, you will probably feel like crap by the time you read this. (sorry)

[Kurt B]

word is, they offered me to get tested for the antibodies, but have no plan of action if I don't have them...that means, there's nothing I can do either way.
So, I guess I'll just forget it for now and hope for the best. They did not offer the vaccine. Oh well....I'll just wait. By the middle of next week, I'll know.
My parents had a kid who had it live with us for a week to expose my sister and I, but I never caught it. Maybe I had a super mild case. I'll be a fun holiday season; or not.

[Moses]

Kurt,
Get tested. If negative, get vaccinated. Selfishly, I don't want you to get sick and have your car painting interrupted. I want to see the final pictures!

[nostatic]

being a happy Kaiser patient is not about taking what they give you, but rather politely and firmly telling them what you want. An informed patient is the worst enemy of their accountants.

[billwagnon]

My parents had a kid who had it live with us for a week to expose my sister and I

I've read a lot of classifieds, but that's one service I've never seen offered....

[nostatic]

Originally posted by billwagnon
I've read a lot of classifieds, but that's one service I've never seen offered....

You don't read the right papers. In LA you can get *anything*...

[Kurt B]

HAHAHAHA what a bunch of jerks. No, it was a family friend. JESUS H CHRIST.

[targa911man]

Originally posted by Cornpanzer
Well, if the worst does happen, I would be happy to fly out and keep your car in good running condition for a week or two. Its 33 and raining here in Ohio and I know LA fairly well. I would even drive to the store for some chicken soup for you

If the REALLY worst happens, I would be happy to drive it back to VA and keep it in good condition for eternity. PS don't pick the scabs.

[ChrisBennet]

Originally posted by Kurt B
My parents had a kid who had it live with us for a week to expose my sister and I, but I never caught it.

Interesting idea. When I was growing up I thought we got vaccinated for chicken pox so we wouldn't get it. I hope you make out OK Kurt.
-Chris

[tabs52]

Everybodys got to die sometime.

[Kurt B]

I guess I lucked out. I'm at the end of the 14-17 day incubation period.

Phew.