Is it better for child to get chicken pox early?

[Mummyfinally2019]

Ds is 5 and hasn't had chicken pox yet. Our friends LO currently has it and has suggested meeting up so my ds can catch it and get it over with! Is this recommended? Obvs don't like ds being ill but I do like the thought of getting the pix over and done with, esp as we have no plans. Is this completely wrong? The control freak in me thinks it might be good to get it done now (if he even caught it) and while we have no plans or holidays 🤷🏻‍♀️🙈

Have you looked up potential side effects? I went with vaccination instead.

I becomes more severe with age as I understand so it probably would be easier to get it out of the way early doors. You can always get him vaccinated if you’d rather he didn’t catch it. Or you might get lucky and he has it subclinically and doesn’t get the spots.

If you aren't planning to vaccinate (we chose not to have the chicken pox vax), it probably is better for them to get it over and done with before they are school age if you aren't currently working. You say your ds is 5, but I assume he is somewhere where he hasn't yet started school? I don't think it matters really if they get it slightly younger or older, for them, but more an issue of time missed from work for parents, and more parents are both back to work when children reach school age.

That said, just because they have contact, doesn't mean they'll get it. Do also be aware that it can be about a 3 week incubation period, so exposure now means he may actually break out in spots in the last week of June, so it will be more like first 2 weeks of July.

Get him vaccinated instead. I caught chicken pox age five and suffered quite badly, and you run the risk of shingles later once you've had chicken pox. It's just not a nice illness. I had both my kids vaccinated.

Remember its a myth you can only get it once! Its less likely, but not guaranteed.

The side effects from CP can be severe.

It can be perfectly mild for many, but it can very easily not be, too. Mine had it in infant
school. Both had a horrid time of it and the eldest was nearly hospitalised. They each ended up with horribly infected spots as well and tons of antibiotics. We’d been about to book vaccinations and I wish we’d got to it earlier.

We had an outbreak at nursery and freaked out as we were due to go on holiday a few weeks later so we got him vaccinated. We think that he did eventually catch it but it was so mild and only a couple of spots on his arm that didn't seem to bother him. Would definitely recommend the vaccine.

Dd hadn't had it by 4 so I got her vaccinated. Half her class have had it recently and she's been fine. It was surprisingly inexpensive and has worked so far.
Ds had chickenpox aged 2.5 and was very unwell from it for a long time, it triggered a bout of sizes which went on for months.
I'd definitely vaccinate and avoid it if I was you.

It's possible to still get shingles after the CP Vax, although less likely than after CP itself.

I had CP at 15 - never caught it before despite coming into contact with it.
It was horrible. I felt really ill. Had so many spots everywhere - down my throat, soles of feet and other places which I won't mention! I was off school for a fortnight just before O levels.

Get him vaccinated. Why would you deliberately want him to get what can be a very nasty illness? You have no way of knowing how ill he could be.

Yes it gets worse the older they are. I used to think chicken pox partys were sensible for that reason then a friend of mine almost lost her dd to chicken pox it was horrendous. Vaccine is an option if you are worried then do that.

I had chicken pox in my mid 20s, it was awful - I hurt all over, worst sore throat and virtually impossible to swallow water, chicken pox every you can imagine. Whatever you decide, then hopefully he'll get it when he's younger. By contrast DD had it when she was three, had one hot itchy evening with her, and spots started clearing up after two days and dry by day 5. She was well with it and full of life.

Maybe the OP doesn't have a spare £150 for the vaccination?

Far better for them not to get it at all, so vaccinate if you can afford it.

Appalling that anyone would purposely try to infect a child with chicken pox. Such an ignorant and outdated view that it's harmless and 'gets it over with'.

If you can afford it, vaccinate!

It's definitely easier on the child the younger they are when they get it BUT I don't think I could intentionally expose a child to it. There can be rare side effects and even death. Couldn't live with myself if the worst happened and I'd exposed them purposely

I would also recommend looking up about CP and how bad it can be. I was 'popped into the cot for a nap' with our neighbour's kid who had chicken pox. I got it so mildly that it barely registered (and since had it a second time as an adult again incredibly mildly) but the child of a work colleague of my mother's got CP so badly that she was permanently disabled as a result and very nearly died. It's not necessarily a mild illness for all, and if at all possible I would choose vaccination.

Also, if your child does get it please make sure you avoid anyone who might be pregnant or is pregnant.

DS caught them when he was in yr 1. He was poorly for one day with it and the rest was just managing the itch and spots. Being a bit older, he understood not to scratch and could help apply his own creams which was good.
I had said that if he got to the end of yr 1 and hadn't caught them, id vaccinate him for all the reasons others have given

I was offered this too although my child is 10
I declined

Chicken pox can cause complications which is why many other countries include a vaccination against it.
You can get it privately in the UK and this would be the better choice than contracting a disease.

Your friend is an imbecile.

There is no telling how your child will cope with the potential infection. Some children get it mildly others die from complications. Knowingly infecting your child is to knowingly expose them to the chance of both extremes.

I wouldn’t. It’s not always a straightforward illness.

First choice would be vaccination if that’s an option for you

other choice would be stear clear of the poorly friend

As a child, I went to a chicken pox party and around 10 of us (friends and neighbours) got it over with at the same time. 😂 I probably wouldn't suggest that as an option now, but remember amongst the scaremongering that it is generally a mild childhood illness. Complications in a healthy child are of course possible, but still rare. It's not something I've would vaccinate my own kids for (they all had it by age 6) but it's an option.

Goodness no. Book the jab. The NHS is starting it soon and a catch up programme but your child will be too old.
Dont willingly make your child ill!