Chicken Pox - dos and donts

[Tweedledee3Tweedledum]

Is it irresponsible to take a child out to public places that has chicken pox, yet to scab over?

For example, going out for something to eat? Shopping?

[CruCru]

Yes, it's not a good idea. Chickenpox is really contagious. It's not easy to tell who may be badly affected by catching it (the very young, pregnant women who haven't had it, people who are immunocompromised).

Also - even if the people who catch it don't fall into the above categories, it may just be a really, really awful time to have it. They may have big projects at work and need to have their kids in nursery, have a big wedding coming up or are just about to go on holiday.

[Tweedledee3Tweedledum]

Really good way of looking at it. Thank you.

[Iamastonished]

Yes, very. I'm surprised you even have to ask.

Shop online and stay at home. And under no circumstances take your child out for a meal. Some people have very weak immune systems for example people with HIV, pregnant women who have never had chicken pox, those taking high doses of steroid medication and those having chemotherapy.

[Isadora2007]

For something to eat? Yep. Shopping if they're in the trolley? Not so bad.
Parks or woodlands to get fresh air? Fine. Visiting friends who know they have CP? great.
Busy places with random people who may have health issues? Nope.

You can come round to mine as I'd prefer DS to get cp out of the way sooner than later.

[Wolfiefan]

FFS. Shopping is not ok.
Immunocompromised people can die if they get chicken pox. If you can't guarantee you won't meet other people then don't go out. At all.

[GeillisTheWitch]

Yes it's irresponsible if other people will be there. When DD had them and we were sick of being stuck in the house we went for a couple of walks on the beach but it was winter and there was no-one else around. I wouldn't have taken her to a busy supermarket or cafe.

[Isadora2007]

Ooops I just realised I began answering if it was unreasonable hence the yep to shopping.

But then forgot and said nope to going busy places. As I meant nope don't do it!

Sorry!

To
Clarify - dont go places to eat or busy areas.
Do go to people who know you have CP child and are fine about it. Do go out for walks in fresh air.

They'll be scabbed over in a few days. Enjoy the chill time.

[Isadora2007]

Wolfie

If someone is so ill they'd die if they catch something then they are unlikely to be out and about.

When immunodeficient people can take their own precautions like wiping down trolleys and avoiding busy places like cinemas etc. I think a child with CP in a trolley is unlikely to be a huge risk to anyone.

[abbsisspartacus]

I took mine to collect glasses for his older brother I rang and asked first put him in his pushchair ran in and out again

[Wolfiefan]

My son had a kidney condition. He was on a cancer drug for many weeks that made him immunocompromised. He was well enough to attend nursery and go about his usual activities.
BUT if he caught CP he could die.
Please educate yourself about how serious CP can be. It's not a minor illness to get out of the way when they are young. There can be life threatening consequences.

[Iamastonished]

"If someone is so ill they'd die if they catch something then they are unlikely to be out and about."

Nonsense. I have a friend with cancer. In between bouts of chemo she is well enough to go out. Catching chicken pox would be extremely serious for her. Does this mean that she can never, ever go out?

A child with chicken pox will get over it in a few days. My friend will never get better.

[Isadora2007]

I'm pretty sure that there would be more chances of catching CP at nursery than a supermarket.
I'm perfectly aware of how CP is caught thanks. And it's not via trolley handles or supermarkets.

Hope your son is well now though and I do know firsthand about immunosuppression. Still would take a child with CP to the shops if needs be.

[Wolfiefan]

Then you are selfish and irresponsible.

[Isadora2007]

No it doesn't mean she can never go out llama.
But it does mean she knows her risks and takes appropriate actions e.g. Wiping down handles or wearing gloves. Not being in crowded areas for longer periods of time etc.

[Lushka]

So all pregnant women should be wiping down their trolleys too isodora ? Or indeed anybody that crucru listed in the first reply to OP?

[GeillisTheWitch]

I'm perfectly aware of how CP is caught thanks. And it's not via trolley handles or supermarkets

Because supermarkets have a special anti-viral quality about them that means viruses can't be transmitted? . Of course if you take an infectious child to the supermarket they can infect others.

[MiddleClassProblem]

You can go for a walk where people aren't about but if you have a garden and they want to get out that could be a half way house if you have got anywhere suitable nearby

[Lushka]

I'm shocked that people think it's acceptable to take a child with a highly contagious disease to the shops. Like others have said, it doesn't last for that long and online shopping is available to everybody. How selfish and irresponsible!

[HolaWeenie]

My 4yo son has CP at the moment, after being in for 6 days straight we have cabin fever bad. I've been tempted by taking him for a walk in the woods or to the post office quickly, but it's not worth the risk to others. Now his 'spirited' younger brother has it. Gin will get me through.

[MiddleClassProblem]

HolaWeenie that sucks. Sending you virtual gin!

[harderandharder2breathe]

It is NOT ok to take a chicken poxy child out shopping or for something to eat or to the cinema or soft play etc

People have to do the school run, pick up bread & milk, avoid taking the child if possible, if not, in the buggy with rain cover on, don't linger.

[Isadora2007]

We were en route to visit family when dd came Down with CP. we called ahead and they were happy to still have us. We had to go
On public transport to get there through we managed to keep her outdoors... on our trip we still visited friends and tourist attractions that were outdoors and didn't entail people being in a room for 15 mins with her or face to face contact.

[Wolfiefan]

If you can't leave the poxy child in the car at school drop off then I would get someone else to do it.
Shopping. Get a partner, friend or neighbour to do it or use internet shopping.
Potentially killing someone else trumps needing bread for toast.

[Wolfiefan]

Isadora that's awful and dangerous. Public transport and tourist attractions with a potentially dangerous and highly contagious illness?

[Me624]

DS had chicken pox at 5 months old. I said to the doctor oh I assume I need to stay at home with him until the spots have scabbed over and he said no, avoid obvious direct contact with other people so no baby groups or play dates but he said it was fine to take him to the supermarket. The virus is passed on via salvia/snot etc so DS aged 5 months not leaving his pram was not going to pose a risk to anyone.