To not see a friend with chickenpox?

[confuseddazed]

DC is friends with my friends DC. We saw them last week, and her DC was moaning about some spots, which she said were bites.

She has now told me that her DC has chickenpox, but is fine, and wants to meet tomorrow.

I'm guessing that DC may already be incuabating chickenpox, but do not really want to risk further exposure.

This is compounded by the fact that she says her child is no longer infectious, and they rarely get chance to meet.

On another note, DC is due to return to school next week, and I'm planning on sending them. Another friend says this is selfish, as DC will be infectious before the spots appear, but I'm not sure the school will condone upto two weeks absence, in case they may get chickenpox (eldest DC was exposed several times, but never actually got them until 14yrs old).

If you saw them more than 5 days ago her dc won't be contagious now. You can't keep them off school just in case, just be vigilant.

Thanks LIZS, thing is I'm not sure when her DC actually started getting spots. She insists he had bites last week, but only got chickenpox spots late Saturday.

You can't keep your children of school because they might get sick - what a bizarre attitude! I'd ignore that friend.

Personally, i wouldn't worry about meeting the friend - chances are they'll get it sometime. But I know it can be serious and wouldn't have any issue with someone keeping their children away from mind in the same circumstances.

I wouldn't see the friend tbh. That solves your school problem also then as your dc won't have been exposed within the timeframe.

Chickenpox is contagious from 1-2 days before the spots appear, until they have all scabbed over (about a week usually). And yes the incubation period is roughly 2 weeks.

All my dc have had chicken pox now, and I'm glad this dilemma has passed. However, I never knowingly exposed them to chicken pox because I felt that if I had, I'd feel guilty and also that if it was grim, also cross with myself for inflicting it on us all. Also, staying off work was easier to justify when i hadn't in some way inflicted it on us. So I wouldn't blame you for staying clear

Her dc will be contagious until all.of their spots scab over, which may be more than 5 days

I agree that you can't keep your dc off school just in case they are incubating it though.

Thank you all.

BigBirthdayGloom That's it entirely; I would feel very guilty.

Eldest DC was very ill with chickenpox, and now has hearing loss in one ear. I know that it's supposed to be less severe, the younger they are, but you can't guarantee that. I had it as a young child, and can remember how rotten I felt; I had it over my mouth and throat, so couldn't eat for days.

I am disappointed with my friend, as I'm sure she knew (or at least suspected) her DC had chickenpox, as she tried to hush them up.

Yes I would be disappointed with her too, confused I wouldn't deliberately expose my DC to ChPox as for some children it can be very nasty, and still others it can be fatal. Adults too.

My youngest has actually got it now, middle one had it 2 weeks ago. We've stayed at home all this holidays so as not to spread it round
. The number of people I see in the supermarket with an obviously poxy child just makes me boggle a lot of people don't take it seriously enough imo

When dc had chickenpox i told every pregnant woman who had or could had contact with them or me, and if we had something planned i would cancel it. I eould not expose someone else knowingly.