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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to purposely expose my 2yo to chicken pox?

110 replies

TinyTheTortoise · 20/05/2014 17:56

Opinions please.
My 2 yo DD is in good health for once, but my friends child has come down with chicken pox, my other friend looks after this child for an hour or so after school while her mum works, and it's likely that her grandaughter (2yo) will already have the virus, meaning my DD could as well as they socialise every morning and every afternoon on school run, and often at least one day a week atm is spent with them. They often cuddle/hold hands too.
So the chances are my little one has already been exposed to it, and there would be nothing I could do about that. However I want to get it out of the way, and we are planning on making sure my friends child is around the 2yo all day tomorrow.. but another friend of mine thinks this is a bad idea, and I shouldn't deliberately expose her to it as it's better if she *never gets it??

*Surely she is bound to get it at some point? I've never known anyone to have never had it?

So, good people of MN, what do you think? I'm happy to hear valid arguments on both sides.

OP posts:
HayDayQueen · 21/05/2014 09:42

Most people will think you're very wrong to consider it.

But in my view, if you worried about the possible side effects about CP then you should be protecting your DC by getting them immunised.

If you aren't worried ENOUGH to warrant going and getting them immunised, then they are almost certainly going to catch it anyway, so it is better for them to catch it when you KNOW you can be there for them and treat them.

However, a 2 year old is probably too young for this. A child slightly older can communicate with you better, and you can help them more.

So you decide, are the potential complications worrying enough for you to get your DC immunised or not?

Sizzlesthedog · 21/05/2014 09:49

No.

It's a very scary illness.

NO NO NO.

BoreOfWhabylon · 21/05/2014 09:56

Whenever chickenpox gets mentioned I think of this thread from last year.

Sobering reading.

VIPissArtist · 21/05/2014 09:58

'Doesn't always' - In the majority of cases it does

No it doesnt I know loads of dc who have had it several times, there are tons of differnet strains of it.

CiderLover · 21/05/2014 10:06

i'm 32 and have never had it.

YABU

sarinka · 21/05/2014 11:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HayDayQueen · 21/05/2014 11:56

i'm 32 and have never had it.

I was 36 and tests showed I wasn't immune. Rather than risk catching it while pregnant I was immunised.

If you feel( strongly about it, you should do something about it.

bumbleymummy · 21/05/2014 12:40

VIP - There are quite a few different strains but they are part of 7 different genotypes -certain ones are more dominant in particular parts of the world. However, contracting one strain usually gives immunity to all the different strains. Yes, reinfection can occasionally occur but around 90% of people are immune after contracting it once. Re reinfection, there is some suggestion that this may be due to genetic susceptibility or simply misdiagnosis of chicken pox the first time.

HayDayQueen · 21/05/2014 12:46

Also, they are immunising the elderly so that they can prevent shingles. The age group getting free immunisations is limited at the moment, but they are intending on broadening it in time. They've limited it so that they aren't overwhelmed by the requests.

Thurlow · 21/05/2014 12:55

Am I missing something with the vaccine? Kids aren't offered it as standard, are they? And NHS only seem to advise that vulnerable people get it.

I'm in two minds on this one. While I probably wouldn't go a chicken pox party I did hope DD would catch it younger rather than older.

Chicken pox can be particularly serious when you're older, can't it?

I'm probably misinformed on this one but I was under the impression that pretty much everyone catches chicken pox at some point and it was a 'standard' childhood illness (though I do know it can be very serious at any age) - is that not the case anymore?

CustardFromATin · 21/05/2014 13:09

I still have facial scars from having cl as a child and have had shingles 3 times, the last time hurt worse than labour, and lasted for weeks. And I didn't even have it that badly as a 6 year old.

My DCs have had / will have the vaccine, and we can cope with boosters as needed. In other countries the vaccine is standard now anyway!

HayDayQueen · 21/05/2014 13:12

Custard, if you keep getting shingles have you checked with your GP whether it would be worth getting immunised? You might have to pay for it but it would certainly be worth it for you.

NeedsAsockamnesty · 21/05/2014 13:35

The NHS only advising vulnerable people to have it is because they only fund vulnerable people (well not the vulnerable person themselves just those in contact with the vulnerable person).

They do not advise against parents deciding to personally fund it.

Fatmanbuttsam · 21/05/2014 13:37

YABU.......it can be really dangerous.....especially if your child has eczema.

i don't think people are made sufficiently aware of the dangers with chicken pox if you have eczema

Sigyn · 21/05/2014 13:39

I wish the NHS would fund it

But fwiw its possible to have it done privately. Its the only private healthcare anyone in my family has ever had.

Having dangerous diseases doesn't strengthen the immune system, btw, that's a lot of shite. The immune system isn't a muscle.

It teaches your immune system to fight that particular disease. But so does a vaccine.

Thurlow · 21/05/2014 14:17

This is really interesting. I genuinely thought it was just a standard childhood illness but this has made me realise it's not. Looks like the vaccine isn't too expensive and is part of the standard vaccines in the States.

Might just have to go and investigate...

QuietNinjaTardis · 21/05/2014 15:35

What happens if you have chickenpox and eczema?

expatinscotland · 21/05/2014 15:36

DS had the vaccine on the NHS but only because his elder sister was undergoing chemo therapy.

bumbleymummy · 21/05/2014 16:34

The shingles vaccine is around 50% effective.

bumbleymummy · 21/05/2014 16:37

Thurlow, no, that's still the case. It is a standard childhood illness. The vaccine creates its own issues e.g. Requiring boosters, not knowing when immunity will wane and the booster not being as effective in adults. Potentially it could be pushing CP into adulthood which is when it is more risky. Much better to get it out of the way when they are younger. I do think it is important for parents to be aware of potential complications though so that they can watch out for the signs and catch them early. Doctors too!

CoteDAzur · 21/05/2014 16:41

YANBU.

It is a perfectly normal childhood disease. OP isn't vaccinating her DC against it so they will have it at some point. Better when young and at a convenient time than much older and/or on holiday or during school.

CoteDAzur · 21/05/2014 16:44

"I'm 34 and have never had chicken pox"

What on earth are you waiting for to get the vaccine? Shock

NeedsAsockamnesty · 21/05/2014 17:57

Bumbley

Last time I looked it up (granted I was not paying huge amounts of attention) the countries where it's a standard thing did not report issues with it being pushed to adults

Fatmanbuttsam · 21/05/2014 18:34

QNT.....there's a huge risk of them contracting eczema herpeticum.....not entirely sure on spellings there.....a frequently fatal illness.... I had always known that eczema and chicken pox were not a good idea but didn't know why until my son caught the pox a couple of years ago.....I took him straight to the doctor who sent him/us to hospital via ambulance and he spent a week in isolation hooked up to IV antivirals......the pox virus (which is part of the herpes family)spreads through the nerves causing huge amounts of pain and blistering of all mucosal linings.....

QuietNinjaTardis · 21/05/2014 19:14

Christ! Is that when they've got a flare up fatman or just if they have eczema. Dd had horrific eczema from head to toe but luckily we have it under control at the minute though she is still itchy and patches sometimes appear. Chickenpox is going around where I am and several of my friends kids have had it and I've seen a poxy child in my village Hmm I'm worried she'll get it as she's so young as well stil. What do I look for if she does get it? Or is it obvious she'd be really unwell?