To keep DS off nursery due to chicken pox doing the rounds?

[purplepineapples]

DS (3) started nursery 2 months ago and since then he has been constantly unwell due to various illnesses he's more than likely picked up from there (as to be expected). I have a newborn and it's been tough with DS being poorly so much.

He's currently off for 2 weeks for the Easter hols, back 2 afternoons only then off again for over a week as we're going away for a family wedding.

Anytime I tell anyone he's been unwell they ALWAYS say oh, chicken pox? Because it's rife at the moment. He hasn't had this yet.

I'm considering keeping him off the 2 afternoons he's back before our trip as I really don't want him catching anything else (it's been relentless including a hospital trip) and especially not chicken pox with having the baby and going to a wedding.

AIBU?

[Highsteaks]

Oh, when I saw the title I thought you just mean keep him off indefinitely because of chicken pox doing the rounds. Having read your OP then yes, I would just keep him off for those two afternoons. Definitely.

[May09Bump]

Yep, keep him off as it's only two afternoons. Congratulations on the new baby!

Also, consider getting the Chicken Pox vaccine - we did with our DS and so far, he hasn't had it despite numerous school outbreaks. DS was also subject to picking up any illness about and it was draining. Enjoy your trip.

[purplepineapples]

Oh I didn't know he could get a vaccine. Have the health visitor later so will ask her about it. Thanks.

[purplepineapples]

Yes, I won't be able to keep him away from all infected kids but it feels like his nursery is just a hot bed of infection at the moment and every week it's been something else

[TimeToMuskUp]

DS2 has had the chicken pox vaccine. We had to take him to the clinic twice and pay £80 each time for the separate injections (I think they were about 6 weeks apart). We had him done because DS1 suffered so terribly with CP when he had it and DS2 is asthmatic so our HV suggested it. Great idea if you can find somewhere local.

[inlawsfromhell]

Definitely get the vaccine. My DD1 caught it at school it lasted 9 days till it scabbed over she was covered literally from head to toe could barely walk! DC2 got it two weeks later not as bad as DD1. DC3 got it twice was hospitalised with it the 2nd time!

It's a horrid virus and if I knew how bad it was I would of vaccinated them I also didn't know you could get a vaccine. I do believe you'd need another dose if the vacccine in teens though.

[CurlsLDN]

The vaccine is only available privately in the uk, but in the USA and most of Europe it's part of the routine vaccination schedule.
Ds had it, it was two jabs costing about £60 each (obvs prices vary in different clinics/areas)
It is so reassuring when nursery puts up the chicken pox sign (every other week!) that he won't go through that. Also, although the vaccine is expensive on paper, it's far cheaper than dh or I taking a week or two off work to look after him

[CurlsLDN]

• but in answer to your question, yes I'd keep him off in these circumstances

[BernardsarenotalwaysSaints]

I probably would too considering it's only 2afternoons.

That being said my 6, 4 & 3 year old have just had CP yet my 9 month old has escaped it (28 days since the last outbreak & about 21 since the last spot scabbed over) I'm not immune to it so it's not even like he still has my immunity to it.

It think it's around £120 for the full course of the vaccine.

[CurlsLDN]

inlaws at the moment they recommend a top up vaccine 20 years later. However that is because the vaccine has only been around 20 years, so they can't definitely say it lasts longer than that. So by the time our kids are 20 that may well no longer be the practice