Potential Christening Disaster (Shingles)

[Agingmumoftwins]

I need some impartial advice, as DH and I can't agree what to do about our DTs christening in 2.5 weeks.

FIL has just been diagnosed with shingles, so we are not sure if he will be fit/allowed to travel (PIL are in Germany, so will be flying over with BIL and niece).

I rang my sister (one of the godparents), who is having chemo, to check the risk for her if FIL does make it over, only to find she's also just been diagnosed with shingles.

DH rang BIL to check if the flights could be postponed, and BIL said no, he would lose 1000 euros if we postponed the christening.

So, wwyd? I think we postpone, recover taxes etc on the flights and contribute to the money BIL will lose (although he's travelling with 2 pensioners in poor health and a child, so should have taken out decent travel insurance - separate argument). I'm not keen to go ahead without the DTs only grandfather (my father is dead), and potentially one godparent.

DH thinks we should go ahead, as if we postpone someone else could be ill next time, and it will be difficult to organise a new date.

Help!

When I had shingles I did some research and it is very hard to pass on. You need to have direct contact with the rash to contract it so as long as you keep the affected area covered you should be Ok.

Very unlikely that ye will get the chickenpox, is that the worry??

Unless you go poking at the blisters, or sharing towels etc i wouldn't worry.

Its 2 and a half weeks away as well they could both be totally over it by then as well.

Hi, thanks!

I'm more worried that FIL won't be allowed to fly (if he's still infectious), or my sis (godmother) will be too ill to make it (100 mile journey).

I'm just hoping they both get better, would hate either of them to miss out.

Not so bothered about the twins catching chickenpox, they'll be 9 months and are good and robust so they'll be fine.

I think we'll have to go ahead and risk someone missing the fun, so fingers crossed they both have mild cases of shingles!

I am pretty sure you are not contagious for that long so can't see why he wouldn't be able to fly. If your sis is having chemo that is far more likely to affect her ability to travel than shingles.