Is my pregnant wife safe near my brother with chickenpox?

Question

Hello doctor,

My wife is 8 weeks pregnant. Two weeks back, my brother got infected with chickenpox, and after that, even my sister in law is infected with chickenpox. My wife has already had chicken pox in her early schooling days.

I have a few questions.

Is it advisable for my wife to stay in the same house as we are?
Would there be a chance that a person would get infected more than once in a lifetime with chickenpox?
We performed a varicella IgG test for my wife, and the report says equivocal. What does this mean? (I have attached the report).
How bad and critical is it for her to get infected at this stage of pregnancy?
Is there anything that could be done to protect the baby if she gets infected?

Please advise.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have seen the report (attachment removed to protect patient identity). I can understand your concern. I will answer one by one.

As you told me it is the eighth week I would like to tell you that in the first 12 weeks, the overall risk of transmitting infection to the child and development of severe disease in the child is only 0.4 percent. In your case, the mother already has protective antibodies (IgG antibodies), cutting down the risk further. But still, we do not want to risk the child whatever the risk may be. So I will advise for isolation of the mother or patient until all the lesions of chickenpox get crusted because after they crust, they get noninfectious. The chance of getting chickenpox again in life is a rare phenomenon but at times if the immunity is low it may occur.

Equivocal in the report means that the mother has to protect immunity against chickenpox but not very strong. It would be strong if the levels were more than 12 but it is not negative. That means the mother can fight some infections. It is not very bad to get affected at this stage, but if it happens near the delivery time or within five days of delivery then it is very bad. Right now, even if she gets infected, she will develop immunity and pass it on to the baby. Some antiviral drugs can be given if infected, but I do not think she requires it now. And yes definitely, until the infective stage of your brother and sister vanishes you should think of isolation.

I hope that you get your answer.

Please let me know if you need any help.

Thank you.