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Original poster

What can we do- chicken pox

59 replies

OutDamnPox · 12/02/2024 07:59

So after a couple of days of tired/complaining/paleness, kids have woken up today covered in spots. Then casually mentioned that several children in their classes have got it too. It’s our half term this week so that’s all the plans cancelled.

the problem is that one of the kids has ASD and ADHD and isn’t coping with the idea of quarantining very well. I was thinking we might do a walk this afternoon. It’s a walk from our home and there’s loads of space so I would make them move as far away as possible if we saw anyone. From what I’ve read, it’s transferred by close contact so it should be ok right?

OP posts:
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IWishTheBishopWell · 12/02/2024 15:08

Not everyone who is vulnerable to chickenpox can have the vaccine. My medication makes me vulnerable but it's not safe to be vaccinated when taking the medication.

Fortunately I have already had CP at 6 months although apparently the immunity may not be quite as good as someone who had CP before a year old. Like others, I still have CP scars over 30 years later.

I'm pregnant currently and as soon as the baby is old enough to be vaccinated, they will be, assuming not medically contradicted.

ClivetheDestroyer · 12/02/2024 12:54

We have had both of our DCs vaccinated. DS is only 11 months so has only had 1 so far but he'll get the other soon.

There's just no reason for them to suffer - even if a mild case it's not fun. I had it aged 5ish and now in my 30s still have a couple of scars. DD was constantly ill for about 4 months straight when she started nursery so we decided we'd just had enough illnesses!

And at £150 for 2 doses, compared to a week off work at roughly £120/day (so £600) it seemed worth it on a financial basis alone!

It has recently ripped through our kids' nursery again, they had 8 out of 30 in my DD's room off with it! It's nice not to have it hanging over us, not knowing when we'll get it!

OdeToBarney · 12/02/2024 12:17

MabelMaybe · 12/02/2024 10:42

We looked at the vaccine for DD, but it cos several hundred £, as you need 2 doses.

I don't know where you are, but both courses for my DD last year was £140 at an independent pharmacy. London/Surrey border. DH got vaccinated too. Both fine, no side effects.

KeyWorker · 12/02/2024 12:14

MabelMaybe · 12/02/2024 10:42

We looked at the vaccine for DD, but it cos several hundred £, as you need 2 doses.

It’s £75 per dose at Superdrug and Boots. 2 doses are required, £150 per child. No where near several hundred.

suafa · 12/02/2024 12:13

@Tinysoxxx so sorry to hear this.

My child was very unwell with CP but thankfully the only lasting impact was on their skin - over 100 scars that are still visible nearly a decade later.

GodspeedJune · 12/02/2024 12:00

Really sorry to you and your DD Tiny how traumatic for you both Flowers

Tinysoxxx · 12/02/2024 11:42

GodspeedJune · 12/02/2024 11:39

I paid £150 for two doses this year. Small price to pay to avoid the permanent scarring and short term illness of chickenpox. Not to mention the consequences for those who are badly affected.

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Biggest regret not doing this. Encephalitis has led to my Dd having part of her brain removed. Please vaccinate. Most children, of course, get it mildly but it can be devastating for those that don’t.

Willyoujustbequiet · 12/02/2024 11:41

PercyPigInAWig · 12/02/2024 11:11

I paid £75 per dose in Boots within the last few months.
I would have to pay more than that in missed childcare. But the main motivation is for DC not to be ill, it can be serious and people suggesting to catch it are really naive or stupid.

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I had the vaccine x 2 and still caught it I'm afraid. Just be aware it's not guaranteed

GodspeedJune · 12/02/2024 11:39

MabelMaybe · 12/02/2024 10:42

We looked at the vaccine for DD, but it cos several hundred £, as you need 2 doses.

I paid £150 for two doses this year. Small price to pay to avoid the permanent scarring and short term illness of chickenpox. Not to mention the consequences for those who are badly affected.

Tinysoxxx · 12/02/2024 11:34

HungryandIknowit · 12/02/2024 11:22

Does anyone have info on the long term efficacy of the CP vaccine (30 years +)? It is more likely to be a serious illness as the patient grows older, so interested in this.

There are lots of studies from America and Australia because they vaccinate children there. UK doctors have consistently asked for there to be a vaccination programme here. This is an easy to read one.
https://amp.theguardian.com/society/2021/may/02/the-chickenpox-party-is-over-as-scientists-call-for-uk-vaccine-rollout

The chickenpox party is over as scientists call for UK vaccine rollout | Chickenpox | The Guardian

Deliberately sending children to catch the virus could become a thing of the past if jab is introduced

https://amp.theguardian.com/society/2021/may/02/the-chickenpox-party-is-over-as-scientists-call-for-uk-vaccine-rollout

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 12/02/2024 11:33

Blobblobblob · 12/02/2024 08:54

I know it's too late for OP but for those that haven't had it yet...

VACCINATE YOUR KIDS

Yes it costs a bit of money. Totally worth it to avoid unnecessary suffering. It's a standard vaccine in North America and across Europe

I heard the NHS are planning to introduce it soon but hasn't happened yet.

My health visitor really tried to put me off saying 'he'll be fine if he gets it' I said yes but I can't take two weeks off work and he'll be upset and in pain surely it's better to avoid that?

theeyeshaveit82 · 12/02/2024 11:32

Flopsythebunny · 12/02/2024 11:24

And hope those children at your party don't get seriously ill

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well it would be the children’s parents hoping that, given they made the decision to go ahead with the play date

Flopsythebunny · 12/02/2024 11:24

Livinginanotherworld · 12/02/2024 10:24

Yep chickenpox party generation here as well. I wouldn’t worry about a walk, you are not that near to people. It’s not good for pregnant mums and you can’t fly with it, but if friends want to get it out of the way, then a play date is always good.

And hope those children at your party don't get seriously ill

HungryandIknowit · 12/02/2024 11:22

Does anyone have info on the long term efficacy of the CP vaccine (30 years +)? It is more likely to be a serious illness as the patient grows older, so interested in this.

theeyeshaveit82 · 12/02/2024 11:19

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

are you happy in life?

because i can’t fathom someone posting that about a mother briefly taking two young children to an isolated park with the intention of keeping then well away from others… unless they were pretty unhappy in life generally

LakieLady · 12/02/2024 11:17

MadKittenWoman · 12/02/2024 10:15

When DS had it, it turned into impetigo. He was fine but it got passed on to a friend's child who then developed sepsis.

I didn't catch it until I was 30 and it wasn't pleasant as an adult.

I got it in my 30s and was really bloody ill.

And I got repeated attacks of shingles for years afterwards, which was incredibly painful.

GirlsLikeUnicorns · 12/02/2024 11:13

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theeyeshaveit82 · 12/02/2024 11:12

This reply has been deleted

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out of interest, do you have children?

PercyPigInAWig · 12/02/2024 11:11

MabelMaybe · 12/02/2024 10:42

We looked at the vaccine for DD, but it cos several hundred £, as you need 2 doses.

I paid £75 per dose in Boots within the last few months.
I would have to pay more than that in missed childcare. But the main motivation is for DC not to be ill, it can be serious and people suggesting to catch it are really naive or stupid.

GirlsLikeUnicorns · 12/02/2024 11:11

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

MaryShelley1818 · 12/02/2024 11:09

Blobblobblob · 12/02/2024 08:54

I know it's too late for OP but for those that haven't had it yet...

VACCINATE YOUR KIDS

Yes it costs a bit of money. Totally worth it to avoid unnecessary suffering. It's a standard vaccine in North America and across Europe

I heard the NHS are planning to introduce it soon but hasn't happened yet.

This!! Both of mine were vaccinated as soon as they were able.
A friends daughter was hospitalised.

Original poster
OutDamnPox · 12/02/2024 11:07

So we did a twenty minute bike ride and they’re full of it still so will probably do the second walk after lunch!

for everyone discussing meeting up with others, we definitely won’t be doing that! I wouldn’t want to risk infecting others just in case

OP posts:
Baircasolly · 12/02/2024 11:05

Ps the vast majority of children will get chickenpox. If there are parents who know that their children are compromised in some way, and who absolutely must not catch it, it's up to them to get their kids vaccinated. In fact, it's potentially harmful to let any child reach adulthood without having had chickenpox or the vaccine.

Baircasolly · 12/02/2024 11:02

That's fine. When my younger one had it I still had to do the school run for the older ones, so I put the little one in a pushchair and just told people to stay clear!

(not that you should put your children in a pushchair if you're taking them out! Just that it's not always possible/necessary to quarantine like it's 2020 🤷‍♀️)

theeyeshaveit82 · 12/02/2024 10:59

i suspect they won’t be up for that second walk and will flag 10 mins in to the first walk