Chickenpox and Shingles are caused by a group of viruses in the Herpes family.
Newborn children (<1 month) whose breastfeeding parent is not immune may suffer severe, prolonged, or fatal chickenpox. Any person with a weakened immune system, including those with cancer, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or taking drugs that suppress the immune system, may have an increased risk of developing a severe form of chickenpox or shingles.1
Detection of HSV in human milk is rare.2 However, those who are breastfeeding and have contracted chickenpox or shingles and have active lesions (particularly on the nipples, areolae, breasts, and/or hands) should refrain from breastfeeding and donating breastmilk in case of handling contamination until the lesions are gone. Disclose any recent exposure or outbreak to the recipient.
Donors and recipients should disclose whether or not they have been exposed earlier in life or have been vaccinated. For more information also see the section on Vaccines.
For more information also see sections on open sores and blisters and Herpes.
Please see How can breastmilk be pasteurized at home? for more information on heat-treating and pathogens.
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- NYS Dep. of Health – Chickenpox (varicella zoster infection) ↩︎
- Riordan. 2005. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation ↩︎
