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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Chicken pox in Iceland

24 replies

Catsize · 14/03/2015 13:32

As in country, not supermarket.
Supposed to fly home tomorrow.
DD thought today would be a top day to get chicken pox.
Have phoned the travel insurance people who say that we have to see a Dr this afternoon (Saturday, tiny town, hurricane weather conditions) to confirm not fit to fly on our 7am flight tomorrow.
It took the lady on the phone a lifetime to work out that we, as mothers in a civil partnership, are both legal parents to both children. But I was told only one adult could stay with DD and her 3yr old brother and other adult will have to go home. Still not sure if this was her lack of understanding or whether this would happen to a mother and father too. She kept talking about my partner having to go home with her children and me stay with mine (she seemed to suggest DS could stay if he was my child). All very confusing.
I am the obvious choice to stay as still breastfeeding etc. But I am worried as I have mobility problems (blue badge) and whilst my partner isn't a registered carer, she is pretty essential in helping me care for our daughter.
Also, I don't particularly want to have to separate the children for up to a week.
Anyone got any experience of this? Really hoping someone can say they didn't have to split up the family in these circumstances and the insurance paid out.
Trying to be responsible (she only has one spot on her face and we could probably 'get away with it' tomorrow, but am conscious of the early pregnant etc.).
I feel that being responsible doesn't pay off.
Technically I could go back with DS but that would a)disrupt breastfeeding b) cause anxiety in DD and c) result in same problems with managing luggage, sibling separation etc.
All advice gratefully received. Thank you in advance. Off to enquire about a Dr...

OP posts:

butterfly2015 · 14/03/2015 13:42

I think normally they only pay for one parent to stay. However with you needing care due to disability I'd call them back and explain the situation in full. Cry if necessary.

Phantomteadrinker · 14/03/2015 13:43

Hi, I have worked in the travel insurAnce industry for many years and I'm afraid the advice you've had is correct. In the event that you cannot return home due to being confined for illness or if the airline won't allow you to travel then you would need to get it confirmed by a doctor and only one other person can stay as an escort under a policy. Obviously you could choose to all stay together but you'd be liable for additional expenses for the other 2. Sorry this probably isn't particuarly helpful and you may decide to risk taking the flight anyway, just be aware that you may be stopped at check in if it's obvious. If you're having trouble finding a doctor , your emergency assistance company should be able to help you to find one. Good luck!

ToBeeOrNot · 14/03/2015 13:51

Separating the children or not for 1 week will hold no sway. The fact that you have mobility problems may have an influence on whether your partner can stay (and therefore your ds) but will depend on the exact wording of your insurance and how your existing mobility problems were declared/covered.

Groovee · 14/03/2015 14:00

My friend's husband had to stay behind when their daughter got chickenpox. It is usual for them to only pay for one child.

Did you take out a specific insurance with your mobility in mind?

Christelle2207 · 14/03/2015 14:08

I looked into this as I thought DS was going to get the pox abroad and I also told same as you, no mobility issues here tho. Next time you should be clear on your cover before you fly. In the meantime I know it's naughty but in your situation unless very obvious I'd try and board the flight and hope for the best. You wouldn't be the first.

IreneA78 · 14/03/2015 14:11

they only pay for sick child + one parent.
when something similar happened to our family of 6, the insurance only paid for sick child + one parent we had to pay for everyone else.

Original poster

Catsize · 14/03/2015 14:36

Thanks everyone. The only place I can see a doctor is the nearby hospital, at some point between 5 and 7. Although I can't think it is ideal taking her into a hospital! I will go in first, explain and they may take a look at her in the car I guess. christelle, it is tempting but I would feel really guilty. So far she only has one tiny spot on her face - you wouldn't notice it, but a few on her back and chest. By tomorrow morning, of course, her face may paint a different picture!
Currently at the airport to see if they will just bump our flights to later in the week - they may be grateful, as there have been hurricane winds and many many cancellations in the last couple of days. They may thank me for the space?? (Yes, I know, dream on... )
I may end up just forking out the extra for the others to stay.
phantom, in your experience, what happens to loss of earnings? I can demonstrate actual loss fairly easily.

OP posts:

Pixel · 14/03/2015 15:32

I was going to say I'd be more worried about the hurricane winds! Is there any chance your flights could be cancelled anyway?

CaptainHolt · 14/03/2015 15:45

The same thing has happened to BIL and SIL twice. Once was Australia with chickenpox and the second time Singapore with flu (that was picked up by a temp check at the airport iirc). Both times only one parent could stay.

Given the bad weather you might find the airlines are nice about changing all your flights.

Phantomteadrinker · 14/03/2015 17:44

Loss of earnings would usually be considered a consequential loss so again unfortunately not covered, sorry! Usually unless it says 'we will pay for...' It won't be covered. Your assistance provider should be able to help source alternative flights covered or not so run through your options with them before committing.

TheFecklessFairy · 14/03/2015 18:08

I really don't think 'later in the week' will see your DD not contagious, do you? I am sure it will be longer than that.

Notrevealingmyidentity · 14/03/2015 18:13

Are you certain it's chicken pox ?

I was in Iceland earlier this week and they did cancel flights due to the weather. Cross your fingers that might happen again and buy you some time.

Notrevealingmyidentity · 14/03/2015 18:15

Saying that I few a couple of days ago with no problems at all..

Sirzy · 14/03/2015 18:21

Hope you get it sorted and get home with minimal hassle.

I'm glad you not taking the dangerous suggestion of fly home anyway!

motherofstudents · 14/03/2015 18:56

Please don't fly with her. My friend lost her baby at 3 months pregnant because she caught chickenpox from someone and miscarried.

gaahhnonicknamesleft · 14/03/2015 19:02

Has your other child had chicken pox yet? If not then best to send him back with your dp as otherwise you risk him coming down with it just when you are due to fly back again!
Good luck.

WindYourBobbinUp · 14/03/2015 19:09

Has your other child and DP had chicken pox before? If not they are probably contagious too and should also not fly, a person is contagious before the spots show.

Please don't fly. I'm pregnant and have no immunity (confirmed by bloods) and the consequences can be horrendous. Its more than a few spots for many people.

sanfairyanne · 14/03/2015 19:42

your other child and partner are fine to fly back if no spots, even if they have not had cpox before
yes, they could be incubating cpox if they havent had it before, but equally they might not.

Original poster

Catsize · 14/03/2015 19:47

Hello everyone and thank you for the replies. Here is an update...
I went to see Icelandair at the airport (along with six billion others whose flights were cancelled etc.). Their initial response was 'she can fly with chicken pox' but then the lovely lady checked with a supervisor who said no, that a Dr's certificate would be needed.
It was then that I suggested a deal - I free up spaces on the nearly-full flight tomorrow, to help them juggle stranded passengers and they shift our flights to Friday. They did this for no extra charge! I am slightly in love with Icelandair.
In theory, DD won't be contagious on Thursday, but we are flying on Friday to be sure.
DP and DS have both had 'chicken pops' (as DS called them).
I have managed to extend car hire too (really hoping that is covered).
Slighly dreading the car park charges likely at the UK airport (optimistically hoping that is covered too?)
Not sure whether tomorrow's flight will be cancelled anyway, but better to have it all sorted today. Just need to find some accommodation now...
The sad stories above are why I was not going to take a chance.
Bad news re:loss of earnings. I thought 'consequential losses' were exactly what insurance was for. Oops.

OP posts:

IreneA78 · 14/03/2015 19:49

so what are you doing about accommodation?

Original poster

Catsize · 14/03/2015 20:09

Hello. Irene, about to look on Trivago etc. whilst simultaneously getting children to sleep and nipping out for some food.
Hoping I have enough on my credit card to cover the costs for now and then hopefully get reimbursed. I did ask the lady at the insurance company tonight if there was a limit per night that they would cover and was told it was overall costs limit of £10,000,000. Somehow I think they wouldn't cover a £1,000,000 a night hotel. Although Iceland is a bit pricey...

OP posts:

Notrevealingmyidentity · 14/03/2015 20:35

Are you sure she will be non contagious on Friday ?

LittleMiss77 · 14/03/2015 20:35

Even though you have changed your flights, still ensure you have a fit to fly cert from a Dr.

If you dont and you get past check in and manage to board the plane, cabin crew may notice and they will question you. Ive witnessed a family being booted off by an aircraft because their little one had spots and they couldnt prove a Dr had certified them fit to fly.

Original poster

Catsize · 14/03/2015 21:53

NHS guidelines are 5 days and that will be 6. Dr has said on certificate that she isn't fit tomorrow but should be fit by Friday. He actually thought Thursday but didn't want to commit in case she develops unusual complications or something - fair enough. We were just talking about getting it confirmed on Thursday. Dr not likely to be open before 8am flight Friday.

OP posts:

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