Chickenpox incubation....and travel...aaaargh

[Elibean]

We're off to France on Wednesday for three days visiting my 99 year old granny (probably for the last time), followed by two weeks further south by the beach. Much needed.
Eleven days ago, dd played (outdoors) with a friend who developed chickenpox the next day...from what I've read, my granny is ok (she's had Shingles, so can't catch it) and so far, dd is blooming with health. BUT the incubation period goes on for another ten days.
We're not flying, taking trains and hire car...would you travel?? Would you cancel?? I don't want to be a public health menace, but its very possible she hasn't got it and we can't reschedule...

[alexsmum]

go go go.you can't put life on hold just because of a maybe.

[Elibean]

thanks, thought that too but am hampered with overactive guilt gland and needed to find out if I was being a monster of irresponsibility.

[throckenholt]

I would go - but try and stay away from other people as much as possible until you are sure. Are you staying somewhere where you can deal with an unhappy child for 2-3 days ? Talk calpol and piriton with you if you can't face buying them in French !

[Elibean]

Good thinking - am about to head to chemist for supplies. We're staying in a big hotel in Paris for the granny visit, and if she develops it there I guess we'll have to stay put until she's better....but if we make it as far as the holiday house (self-catering, so we can isolate fairly easily) it'll be a lot easier. I'm half French, so not worried about doctors and chemists so much, but if I knew for sure she was going to get it I'd probably stay home...but I don't.
Thanks!

[throckenholt]

If she gets it she will only be under the weather for a few days - it would be a shame to miss a fortnight's holiday (already paid for ?) for that.

My DS got it 2.5 weeks after playing with a friend the day before he got it. My twins got it 12 days after DS1 - so they must have had a bigger dose and so developed symptoms more quickly (they certainly got it worse)

[PrettyCandles]

No way would I cancel a trip like this (well, the only reason I might put it off would be if granny hadn't had it and was vulnerable). As for the general public, the risk to them is no greater than usual. TBH I wouldn't even try to avoid people. Just enjoy as you would normally. Definitely take Calpol and Piriton with you. If she does develop cp it might be an idea not to mention to the travel insurance that you knew she had been exposed!

[Elibean]

Yep, already paid for - and dh can't reschedule his holiday time.

Sorry your twins had it badly...so much for the old wives tale of 'the first child has it the worst'. I had no idea it could take 2.5 weeks to show up - ah well, so much I don't know but will learn!

Thanks again, T.

[Elibean]

and PC.