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AIBU?

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This thread includes replies from NHSVaccineNurses, in partnership with NHS

Original poster

To take child out with chickenpox

295 replies

10thlittlemonkey · 10/02/2026 09:32

DD age 3 had chickenpox. Today is day 7 since they first appeared. She's loved the multiple pyjamas days but we are starting to go stir crazy! She had new spots appear yesterday overnight and I'm not sure any of us can handle another 5 days cooped up indoors. Other than spots she's here usual self (ball of energy!) I was thinking to go out for a walk along the river. Maybe grab a quick take away coffee and cake and perch somewhere outdoors. Thinking 'covid social distancing' style rules would apply here for our own sanity surely?
AIBU?

Weeklyreport · 10/02/2026 10:08

VickyEadieofThigh · 10/02/2026 09:36

I'm not a medic but that sounds entirely reasonable to me.

Clearly you're not a medic. This child is still highly infectious. Coming into contact with an immunosuppressed person or a pregnant woman could cause a death.

CloakedInGucci · 10/02/2026 10:07

A coffee shop on a weekday morning is exactly the kind of place she’ll come into contact with babies.

Skybluepinky · 10/02/2026 10:04

Stay in, children have died from chickenpox, can’t believe that people can’t cope with their children being coped up.

ginnybag · 10/02/2026 10:03

An isolated walk - fine.

Play equipment or park - not fine

Inside a cafe - even to get a 'takeaway' - or inside any other venue (think about toilets!) - definitely not fine.

Chicken pox is a hellishly infectious virus - more infectious that either norovirus or COVID. A contagious individual (which your child is) will infect around 90% of susceptible people they come in contact with.

I say this because people tend to think 'what are the odds?' and the answer is 'stupidly high'.

xOlive · 10/02/2026 09:57

I’m in my first trimester pregnant, so theoretically you could stand next to me in a coffee shop and your child could cause serious risk to me and my unborn baby and you would never know.
You don’t know who is vulnerable so it isn’t worth the risk of going in to any shop or anywhere where other people are while she’s clearly still infectious.
A walk in the woods/countryside would be fine, I’d discourage her from touching gates to fields or fences etc.

Youspurnme · 10/02/2026 09:57

Ffs. My DS’s best friend has just finished chemotherapy. His immune system is still in tatters. He’s 12 years old. Keep your infectious child at home and don’t be so bloody selfish.

BlackberryAppleCrumble · 10/02/2026 09:53

If you can guarantee that it’ll be car, far corner of a mostly empty car park, empty footpaths, back to car then yes. I don’t think I could guarantee that, living in a city, but it would be doable somewhere rural if you chose the right place and time.

DappledThings · 10/02/2026 09:52

We went out for a walk in the woods on day 2. Nowhere inside and nowhere busy.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 10/02/2026 09:51

I took my chicken pox child out for a walk in the woods, no one around.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 10/02/2026 09:50

Out for a walk somewhere far from other people - absolutely fine.

But don’t take her into a coffee shop even to get a takeaway coffee.

Seeline · 10/02/2026 09:50

Walks in non-crowded areas are fine. Stay clear of shops, parks etc though

boobaaaa · 10/02/2026 09:49

I would just go out

Favouritefruits · 10/02/2026 09:42

A walk near nobody is acceptable a shop or place you’ll be in close proximity to others No! My FIL has blood cancer and would become hospitalised if infected, you really need to be so careful.

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 10/02/2026 09:42

I think an outdoor walk avoiding other people is fine. I’d probably take a travel cup and snacks with me, she’s not old enough to stay outside while you go to a cafe.

Overthebow · 10/02/2026 09:41

A walk outside where there’s not many others will be fine but don’t take her into a coffee shop to get a takeaway or go somewhere like a play park.

Stompythedinosaur · 10/02/2026 09:39

ilovesooty · 10/02/2026 09:36

Please keep your undoubtedly still infectious child at home.

I agree!

dairydebris · 10/02/2026 09:39

Take her out for a nice long country walk but not near any other people or indoors. Youve no idea who is vulnerable or has vulnerable people close to them. Surprised you asked tbh.

Allswellthatendswelll · 10/02/2026 09:38

Somewhere outdoors is fine imo. It's not like you are going to be near enough to infect people.

VickyEadieofThigh · 10/02/2026 09:36

I'm not a medic but that sounds entirely reasonable to me.

ilovesooty · 10/02/2026 09:36

Please keep your undoubtedly still infectious child at home.